Highlights of historic Long March

A large number of people started gathering in the ground in front of central secretariat of MQI since 7 a.m. on January 13.
The proceedings were initiated with the recitation of the Holy Quran through loud speakers installed on the float trucks at 7:45 a.m., which were particularly decorated for the Long March.
There was a festive look all around with the arrival of people in the ground. Waqas Ali Qadri, Haroon Abbasi and other speakers continued to give directions to the participants of the Long March.
Tehreeki songs, anthems and ‘kalam’ particularly prepared for the March continued to be played to increase people’s passion.
At 12:30 p.m., Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri briefed media in front of his residence. He told that the Long March could not start in time because the government of Punjab confiscated the vehicles forcibly. He said that new vehicles were being booked.

The central secretariat booked 500 vehicles and only 12 of them could reach the place and the rest of them were taken over forcibly by the Punjab government.
The participants were informed through loud speakers that the local administrations had created hurdles in the way of caravans leaving from various districts of Punjab.
Thousands of women also gathered in front of central secretariat. Separate seating arrangements were made for them.
Various roads leading to central secretariat of MQI were jammed due to rush of buses and other vehicles coming from different cities of Punjab.
A large number of media men remained present in front of residence of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri since Saturday night onwards.
Long March finally and formally got underway with Dua of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri at 2:05 p.m. on January 13.
Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri was being escorted by an elite security team which comprised elite force, special branch personnel, commandos, and hundreds of security men of MYL.

The caravan reached Data Darbar at 4:30 p.m. Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri offered Fateha and paid his respects at the shrine of great Sufi saint.
The police and local administration had parked containers on one side of the road at Yatim Khana Motorway Interchange to hamper the March.
All CNG and Patrol stations were shut down along the route on Grand Truck Road.
Small vehicles continued to be switched off when they ran short of petrol. The workers of MYL would push them away from the main road on to the service road.
The participants of the Long March crossed Muridkay City in an hour. A large number of local people welcomed the participants and threw rose petals on them.
Bikers and motor cyclists were also part of the March. They were holding national flags.
Minhaj Ambulances and Minhaj mobile dispensaries were also part of the caravan of the Long March.

There was a festive look on the GT road. The road leading from Islamabad to Lahore was also opened for the marchers.
Thousands of people were present on both sides of Muridkay chowk. They were holding Pakistani flags and waving to the participants of the March to in a manner of welcoming them.
At 7:45, ARY News broke the news that the Islamabad administration allowed the marchers to enter Islamabad.
The marchers crossed Muridkay at 8:20 p.m.
A bus driver told media that the Lahore police had taken more than half of buses under their control to frustrate the Long March.
The government blocked the mobile service in all cities along the GT Road, which created huge problems of communication both for the marchers as well as general public.

All toll plazas were allowing free of cost entry due to Long March. The general public also enjoyed this facility.
3 Ambulances of Edhi Welfare Organization also voluntarily joined the Long March from Muridkay.
The caravans of buses continued to join the Long March on the GT Road.
At 11:45 p.m., the central procession reached Aimanabad. Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri was shifted from his car to bomb-proof container.
The central caravan reached Gujranwala at 12 a.m. sharp.
Thousands of people took to the GT Road to welcome the marchers despite severe cold.
The hundreds of thousands of marchers waved to the crowds on both sides of the GT Road.

A caravan of dozens of buses joined the central march from Gujranwala. The marchers crossed Gujranwala at 12:30 a.m.
Mobile toilets were put up on big trucks.
A crane was also part of the caravan meant for removing the containers installed on various roads of Islamabad.
The rumours of PTI joining the Long March continue to doing the rounds till late at night.
In addition to CNG stations and petrol pumps, the hotels and restaurants were also forced to be closed along the GT Road.
The people already present in Islamabad continued to enquire about the whereabouts of Long March and expected time of arrival.

The March reached Gujrat at 4 a.m. Thousands of people were present to welcome the marchers in style.
The Long March reached Lala Musa at 4:40 a.m. and Chak Perana Kharian at 4:55 a.m.
The marchers offered their prayers along the route.
The marchers had a brief stay for rest and prayers at Minhaj Islamic Centre Gujrat.
Video documentary of the Long March was shown at Minhaj Islamic Centre Chak Perana. There was a great rush of people to watch the documentary.
The police and law enforcement officials mixed with the people of the march and exchanged greetings with them.

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