Pakistan Independence Day
Pakistani soldiers ride in a vehicle as they patrol in a 'red zone' area of Islamabad on August 13, 2014, ahead of the country independence day and proposed protest marches by opposition parties against government. Getty Images

As the dawn of 14 August 2014 draws near, millions of Pakistanis are gearing up for the Azadi (freedom) March, initiated by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) political party, that is set to topple the present Pakistan Muslim League governance and its spearhead, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

PTI's cricketer-turned politician Chairman, Imran Khan, triggered the 'Azadi March' fever in Pakistan on 27 June while addressing a rally in Bahawalpur in Pakistan.

The entire Pakistan knows that the general elections were rigged
- Imran Khan, PTI's Chairman

"The entire Pakistan knows that the general elections were rigged," said Khan, before warning the government to verify the voting count or else a Tsunami March (later renamed to Azadi March) will take over the capital city of Islamabad on Pakistan's Independence Day, 14 August.

Khan alleges that the ruling political party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), declared victory at 11:20pm on Elections day when only 15 percent of the votes had been counted.

Pakistan Independence Day
Canada-based preacher Tahir-ul-Qadri speaks with media outside his residence in Lahore on August 13, 2014. Getty Images

In parallel, Canada-based Pakistani cleric and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief, Tahir-ul-Qadri, is spearheading his own march against Pakistan's Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif.

"The Inqlab (revolution) march will begin on August 14 towards Islamabad. The revolution and Azadi (freedom) march of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan will go together," announced Qadri in Lahore, Pakistan, on 10 August, before adding: "If I am murdered my supporters must take revenge from the Sharifs."

Despite appeals for negotiation from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, both Khan and Qadri intend on marching the capital and freeing the nation from the authoritarian regime of the Sharifs.

Failing to reach a compromise, Prime Minister Sharif has called in the Pakistan army to handle the security across the country.

So far, many parts of Lahore and Islamabad city have been blocked off and certain sensitive areas are expected to shut down cellular services during the duration of the marches.

Till the hour comes, some have hope:

Some fear further riots:

The rest ponder what the word 'Azadi' means to them:

Pakistan