ISLAMABAD, MAR 27: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) power show, titled Amr Bil Maroof (enjoin the good) and billed as a “historic” event, is currently underway at Parade Ground in Islamabad, with party leaders taking turns addressing their workers and supporters, who have assembled on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s call ahead of a no-trust move against him in the National Assembly.

The prime minister, who arrived at the venue in a helicopter, was expected to address the crowd at around 5pm.

Earlier, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak was one of the first PTI leaders to address the crowd. He urged the PTI supporters to stand with Imran Khan, assuring them that “our brave leader is not going anywhere.”

“You will see … the opposition will cry after four days,” he said, adding that the National Assembly members who “abandoned” PTI never originally belonged to the party. “You will see… they will regret it.”

The minister asked crowd to support the prime minister in the next elections as well. “I hope that you will stand with Imran Khan till the day he breathes his last.”

Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi explained to the crowd the reasons behind the opposition’s no-confidence motion.

“Why did these people bring the motion? I will tell you today,” he said. “Because, during Imran Khan’s tenure, Pakistan broke all records of tax collection … because Imran Khan is finally getting us out of FATF … because Imran Khan made Kashmir a national issue… because Imran Khan, who is an honorable man, said ‘absolutely not’.”

Ahead of the gathering, PTI supporters began descending in the capital as the party prepared to make its Amr Bil Maroof (enjoin the good) public meeting a bigger success than tit-for-tat rallies being led by opposition parties.

‘Rally’s message not just for opposition but also for foreign powers’

When Murad Saeed, federal minister for communications and postal services, took the stage, he made PTI supporters make a promise.

“Pakistanis, let’s take an oath today,” he said, urging the crowd to repeat after him. “We promise that we will never compromise on the nation’s honour, respect and integrity. And we will fight all the internal and external threats [to Pakistan] with Prime Minister Imran Khan.”

Saeed said that the rally’s participants, by attending the rally, have not just given a message to the opposition but also to the foreign powers that they’re standing with Imran Khan.

The premier urged supporters to reach the venue early as there were fears of blockades. “I’m scared you may not be able to reach on time because of this.

“God willing, we will make history in Pakistan today,” he added.

Meanwhile, federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhary said that a “brave nation needed a brave leader”, adding that PM Imran would never let the nation bow down. In a video message, he urged citizens to attend the “historic rally”.

Islamabad police also provided directions for participants making their way to the venue. The Islamabad deputy commissioner added that all roads were open in Islamabad while entry and exit points were clear.

“Only Srinagar Highway is closed at H-9 area but alternate routes are open,” he said.

PTI supporters make their way to Islamabad

Social media was abuzz in anticipation of the prime minister’s rally, with supporters sharing images and videos of them making their way to Islamabad.

A PTI Sindh caravan, led by Opposition Leader in the Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh, had reached Islamabad on Saturday. The caravan had started its journey from Karachi on Friday.