The Maulana's Azadi march.

Byline: Dr. Ashraf Ali

With Maulana Fazal Ur Rahman all set to march on Islamabad next week, the political mercury in the federal capital is rising with every passing day. The maulana's Azadi march and Dharna politics making headlines in the mainstream media, occupy central space in the national discourse. The 10 major and small time opposition political parties including the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) are determined to make it happen at any cost and achieve the desired results while the government, apparently, seems undeterred with what it call the hollow claims of opposition benches to gather hundreds of thousands of marchers in the capital city and bring in the government to its knees. Whatever the case may be, the million dollars question however; remains, is Islamabad ready to take up the challenge?

Till late, those in the corridors of power did not take the move seriously, thinking it to be mere a political stunt by a 'rejected' political leader to let its political rival down out of personal ego. However the worries of the treasury benches got multiplied after the move started gaining momentum.

The joint press conference by the Mualana and his political ally Mr. Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore sent a clear and louder message across the government circles that the joint opposition of almost a dozen political parties was ready for a final showdown against the government.

The demands are simple and clear - resignation of the government, electoral reforms and free, fair and transparent mid-term elections in the country.

Maulana has long been accusing the Imran Khan led PTI government of coming into power through rigged elections.

In a latest move, an official notification from Aabpara police station in Islamabad calling for action against those providing tents, crockery and sound system to the organizers of the march is a reflection of the same worries. In addition, unannounced black out and ban on the coverage of the JUI-F activities and specially Maulana's press conferences also speaks for the truth. The move is a negation of the government's earlier pledge to provide food and containers to the marchers. On the other hand, the government has arranged for over 450 containers with over 100 only for Islamabad, but only to stop the protesting mob from reaching into the venue.

The government constituted a seven members committee with speaker National Assembly and Chairman Senate as its members to give the...