Tehreek-e-Hazara expands protests

HARIPUR Tehreek-e-Hazara stalwarts after addressing a seemingly endless public gathering here on Saturday left for Karachi where a public procession would be held in favour of Hazara province today (Sunday). The leaders who would address Karachi procession include Quaid-e-Tehreek-e-Hazara Sardar Haider Zaman, Sardar Yousuf, Syed Junaid Ali Qasim and Mushtaq Ghani. The procession would be organised by Karachis leadership of Tehreek-e-Hazara. The Tehreek leaders would leave for Islamabad after attending todays procession to attend a public rally that will be held in the Federal Capital tomorrow (Monday) in favour of formation of Hazara province. Earlier, a grand public procession was organised by Tehreek-e-Hazaras Haripur chapter in the city that was attended by over 35,000 people from all walks of life. Talking to TheNation, senior leaders of Tehreek-e-Hazara Haripur, Gohar Ayub Khan and Umer Ayub Khan termed Saturdays event as a huge success. Gohar said that Tehreek-e-Hazara would organise 10 more processions and public gatherings across Hazara region in the ongoing month and would devise future line of action after that. We have unprecedented support and if the Tehreek leadership calls right now (Saturday night) for shutter down strike for tomorrow, you wont see any shop or plaza opened, he said. Regarding the support for Tehreek-e-Hazara in Batgram and Kohistan districts, he said that a memorable public procession would be held in Batgram on May 19. With every passing day, you would see people going all out for Tehreek-e-Hazara. Hazara province doesnt need any justification for existence it already exists. If Parliament can make 102 amendments, why not two more amendments for the creation of Hazara province? he asked. Gohar termed the reports about creation of Abaseen division as mere speculations floated by Awami National Partys provincial regime. Umer Ayub Khan said that people started showing up for the procession early morning well before the scheduled timing (09:00 a.m.). This spirit shows that this Tehreek has really come a long way. Amid intense heat and absence of any transport facilities, the participants came for the procession on their own and remained present there for more than eight hours. People are determined and spirited to brave every kind of odds, he added. Regarding the reports about Federal Governments 'willingness to hold dialogue for Hazara province, Umer said, The Government should first announce the formation of Hazara province and then we can enter into negotiations. We want the fulfilment of our just demand before things start moving towards civil disobedience. Ours is a one-point agenda and that is formation of Hazara province. The leadership of all the five districts of Hazara region actively attended the procession. Sardar Haider Zaman, Sardar Yaqoob, Dr Azhar Jadoon, Mushtaq Ghani, Waseem Jadoon, Abdul Razzaq Abassi and Naseer Jadoon from Abbottabad, Sardar Yousuf, Junaid Ali Qasim, Qasim Shah, Shehzada Gustasib, Tariq Swati and Qalandar Lodhi from Mansehra, Fazl-e-Haq and Zarbuland Khan from Kohistan, Bakht Buland Khan and Saleem Khan from Batgram and Tehreeks Haripur leadership including Gohar Ayub Khan, Umer Ayub Khan and Yousuf Ayub Khan addressed the supporters of Hazara province.

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