ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of ex-premier Imran Khan said on Thursday the party would set up the “largest tent city in history” in Islamabad to accommodate protesters arriving in the capital with his ‘long march’ caravan.
Khan is leading a political march to the capital in a bid to pressure the government to announce snap polls. Khan’s followers are piled onto trucks and cars in the convoy but many are also marching alongside on foot. The march began last Friday.
“A comprehensive plan has been prepared for accommodation and food for millions of people arriving in Islamabad,” the PTI said in a statement. “The decision was made to set up the largest tent city in history for the real Azadi [independence] March in Islamabad.”
The party said it was planning to construct “a completely safe and well-equipped separate accommodation” for women and was making arrangements for the parking of thousands of vehicles arriving with Khan’s convoy.
“Separate sections will be allocated for food preparation in the tent settlement and hundreds of toilets will also be constructed,” the statement said. “Special medical camps will be set up at various places in the tent settlement.”
The party said stores would be built for the storage of food and bedding to accommodate people living in the tent settlement for “several days.”
“Seeing the passion of the people and the preparations of the organizations and parliamentary members, there is no doubt that a historic gathering is going to be held in Islamabad on November 11,” PTI senior leader Asad Umar said.
Khan’s caravan was previously meant to arrive in Islamabad tomorrow, Friday, but his party announced it would take at least another week to get there. It is so far unclear if Khan will call off the march on reaching Islamabad or his supporters will stay there until the government meets their demands.
In 2014, Khan led a protest march to the capital which was launched on August 14. Khan and his supporters stayed in Islamabad until December 17.
