Insists there are no plans to ‘derail democracy’. PHOTO: EXPRESS/ FILE
KARACHI:
While reiterating his vow to turn Islamabad into the “world’s largest Tahrir Square,” Minhajul Quran International (MQI) chief Tahirul Qadri said that any discussions, appointments or announcements concerning a caretaker government before his long march scheduled for January 14 will not be accepted.
Qadri was addressing a press conference at Khawaja House on Wednesday.
“We want a caretaker government which is totally impartial, powerful and honest and we are open to discussions with everybody, including the president and the prime minister to achieve this end – but not before the long march,” he said.
“This long march will not stop with discussions or negotiations,” said Qadri, a Canadian national who has recently returned to Pakistan.
Qadri dispelled the notion that the movement was to pave way for becoming the caretaker prime minister himself; he added that he had no agenda to derail the democratic system. “A few politicians have been spreading this propaganda that our agenda is to sack the democratic system, but this is not true as we believe in restoration of clean politics,” he said. “Elections should happen but only after electoral reforms.”
Qadri’s ‘vision’
While stating his vision, Qadri said that the struggle accounts for bringing middle-class, ‘educated people’ to Parliament in place of those with a feudal mindset. To him, an electoral system like that of India is required in the country where complaints for rigging result in abrupt corrective measures, he added.
Qadri said it was futile to approach the Election Commission of Pakistan with suggestions of electoral reforms as law-making is not in the commission’s purview. “If a complaint of rigged polls is registered at the election commission, it is ultimately forwarded to the courts which then take five years to pass a verdict,” he added.
In reply to a question, Qadri termed his visit to Karachi as “very successful” that resulted in a ‘bonding’ with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. “I hope, together we both will achieve the objective,” he declared.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 3rd, 2013.
COMMENTS (22)
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@zafar: Anything can happen in this country, even chief justice can get a "ruling" for our president. 'lolz' at our past..
So Mr. Zafar forget the past, struggle in present and think of a bright future ;)
@Quranvshadith: Its out fault, not so called mullah's
Whatever Qadri said in his speech on December 23 2012 is very true picture of Pakistan and its electoral system, which needs to be changed. Elections are just sham, a game of musical chairs between mafias, same policies different faces. Hence Pakistan is in dire straits today.
it doesn't matter to me who'z saying ....wht do matter is wht he's saying !!!! so please guyz support DR sahab .....and in my eye's imran khan and doctor tahir ul qadri are most credible persons in pakistan ....inshallah IK will support dr sahab soon ..........and i'm going to ISL with dr sahab'z march to bring real change in pak ........hope for the best :)
@something true:
Oh okay, a person who is a PhD in Constitutional Law and is the teacher of many of the current judges sitting in our courts today has no clue of what democracy is. How many years have you taught at leading universities and what qualifications do you have?
From what is evident, the only qualification you have is bitter hatred for Dr. Tahir ul Qadri. If you don't like him, don't spread false propaganda.
For God;s sake leave Pakistan alone Mr/Allama TUQ. You are Canadian go back and earn your livelihood. You are after Pakistan, please allama sahib also do something for Syria, Bahrain, Libya, Arabia and African countries where your sermons are most required. Also make investment there like christian missionary. Have mercy on poor Pakistanis who are in habit to run after soorabs,
I love dr. Tahir ul Qadri
@RizwanTKhan: I agreed with you. Mr Qadri is a Canadian national.He has taken the oath to defend Canada and not Pakistan. He must be sent back to Canada with the first available flight at his expense. Why federal govt is not taking action. By the way I am not PPP member or supporter . I am talking from Pakistani interest point of view. I have also nothing against Canada.
@Ch. Allah Daad: I wish Taliban were as sane as Mr. Qadri to be able to talk and not bomb & shoot their way including innocent school girls and duty bound poor police & soldiers. Lets see if your Taliban can process any language other than money or green lite for illiteracy and no polio vaccination promise. If it weren't for ET who would have covered this news, I wonder.
How about Qadrisaaheb start by renouncing his Canadian citizenship and showing full committment to Pakistan!
Zaffar: tahir is saying that democracy is good. now it doesnt matter how much books you have write. lectures etc. you have give. tahirs understanding of democracy is totally wrong. let tahir go back to Canada and do his lectures or whatever he does over there. its better for this country.
@ Haseeb Khan, its the elected representatives who have failed not the system. In a democratic system there is a process to get rid of bad apples and bring better representatives. If they fail too, we will get another chance to remove them and bring even better lot. Its not a perfect system but its the best in all systems. Nobody has stopped TQ to participate in the process and bring positive change. With four million adult followers, he can sweep any election but he has chosen the wrong way which will bring only chaos and anarchy. Would you support Taliban too when they will bring more people to Islamabad?
@Quranvshadith: He is not "Mullah" but a scholar. He has to his credit scores of books, research papers and Lectures at the prestigious forums. Please think before talking.
why the march if the demands can be met by discussion??
When will the Mullahs learn .. no one really wants them in Politics!!!
Dr.Qadri is requested to go back to Canada.
It’s high time, N-League should offer full support for TUQ, as they have been doing this for Zardari during last five years, then why not for Qadri?
Some time back i read a press report regarding judgement of the Lahore High Court in which the judge had described maulana Tahir ul Qadri as a lier, fraud and a cheat. it is a pity that a man of very high caliber was given such titles.
What a picture :)
Can anyone throw this one more vulture out of this country. Our country is already quite filled up with many.
The present system has failed and taken the country to the brink of disaster.This has to change drastically otherwise what happened to USSR could happen here. And this will be sad and heart breaking.Please change the system before it is too late