A supporter of Tahirul Qadri shows a victory sign at a protest march in Lahore on January 13, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
A large number of party workers and supporters had gathered in front of Minhajul Quran International's (MQI) central secretariat in Lahore carrying the national flag.
Dozens of trucks, loaded with food items, camps and gas cylinders, also accompanied the caravan. Two trucks have been allocated for the media.
MQI spokesperson told the media that about 2,000 people had reached Lahore to join the march. Qadri’s supporters said that the number of participants will reach millions as more people join the caravan on the way.
The spokesperson also claimed that authorities were stopping buses from leaving their points to reach the starting point of the caravan. Around 25 vehicles have been stopped in Ravi Town and 15 in Wagah Town, he added.
Mohammad Farooq, 50, who managed to arrange two buses despite restrictions from local authorities, said he travelled from the eastern industrial city of Faisalabad to join the march, saying he was prepared to die for the cause.
"We are going to Islamabad to change the exploitative system and will not budge from our mission and even sacrifice our lives for it," Farooq told AFP outside the offices of MQI.
Unemployed Mohammad Ahmed, 24, from the town of Pakpatan, said that Qadri's followers would overcome any hurdle imposed by the authorities to reach Islamabad.
"I have joined this long march because it is against a corrupt system and people want to change it," Ahmed said, holding a placard saying "Five per cent of people are occupying 95 per cent of resources".
Exact venue
Allowing the long march to enter the federal capital, Interior Minister Rehman Malik announced the venue of the sit-in which will be Jinnah Avenue adjacent to Islamabad Chamber of Commerce Tower.
The new venue is almost 4-5km away from Parliament House. Qadri had earlier demanded D-Chowk as the venue which is just one kilometre away from Parliament House.
The interior minister also announced Rs5 million for the person who exposes the source through which Qadri was receiving billions of rupees.
Malik appealed to Qadri again to postpone his plan citing several threats to his life.
The exact venue of the sit-in was decided in a crucial meeting between MQI leaders and the administration of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
Delay in departure
The delay took place as the route of the caravan changed at the last moment. Qadri had planned to visit the Data Darbar shrine before heading towards Islamabad, but due to security concerns, the roads to Data Darbar have been blocked. The caravan was also scheduled to pass through Mall Road but there is a protest going on in the area.
The caravan will now pass from Nehar to Minar-e-Pakistan and then to GT Road. The caravan will spend the night in Gujrat and then leave for Islamabad in the morning.
Qadri, speaking to the media outside his residence, said that the police in Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and other cities are not letting people come to the march, but “the long march will take place even if they have to travel on foot or motorcycles”.
He said that police also snatched 20 vehicles assigned for his personal security and 20 vehicles for the media. The march will begin after the vehicles are arranged for, he said.
He also claimed that containers filled with gases and acid have been placed in Islamabad in an effort to stop the march.
Security
SSP Operations Lahore Suhail Sukheta said that VVIP security will be provided to Qadri during the long march, and “foolproof security” will be provided to the participants of the long march in Lahore.
MQI’s security guards have also been deputed for the caravan’s safety.
An Interior Ministry spokesperson told The Express Tribune that over 15,000 police personnel have been deployed in the federal capital. Rangers and Frontier Constabulary (FC) is also assisting the ICT police.
All routes leading to the Constitutional Avenue Islamabad have been sealed, and hundreds of containers have been placed around sensitive areas including the diplomatic enclave.
“Today in the evening, Interior Minister Rehman Malik will brief the media about the current security arrangements for participants of the long march,” said the spokesperson.
Chief Commission Islamabad Tariq Mehmood Peerzada said that 22,000 security personnel have been deployed in the federal capital for security.
Mobile services were also suspended in areas of Lahore that come in the route of the caravan, Express News reported. The areas include Ravi Town, Model Town, Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Minar-e-Pakistan and Imamia Colony. According to government officials, the decision was taken due to security threats.
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Long March is currently 30km long, any so called liberal critic can check. If 1km = 25000 people then It's no less than 7.5 lac!!
Initially I wasn't in support of Dr Tahir’s agenda We all want to change the corrupt system, without acknowledging, that the corrupt system is an outcome of our collective corrupt thinking and actions.but i disappointed that what will he do lonely after completion the his motto where the person who will be govern .where are the persons how the people should be satisfied how he will do all though he announced he is not a candidates it is all very difficult question
I pray his success
His viewpoint is worthseeing so acceptable.
No doubt, he is right in his stance, existing democratic system has no complete resamblence with real or pure democratic system. It is favourable for few having huge money in fireign banks and for those occupied sources of the country. Conspiracies are being hatched in closed rooms regarding the ''turn'' coming into power. No drinking water, no power, and no gas. Economy of the country is moving toward destruction/Pakistan which has rich natural sources stand at the edge of failure state Who is responsible for that,existing flawed democratic syetem and rotten corruption of the political leaders.who are playing with the fat of poor people. They are all liable to kick out from the political arena. why stopping it?look behind there is one more named Tsonami.
@She: There is no contradition in all these. All are meant for same final product.
Huge march is on its way to DEMOCRACY, RULE OF LAW, BASIC RIGHTS, PEACE, JUSTICE etc. This huge arrangement has been made by the poor people of Pakistan who have contributed their resources, sold their gold, bikes, small old houses, vehicles and cash. Also, a big contribution comes from the members of Minhaj ul Quran from all over the world, hence it beomes a small amount to understand. Gold contribution by the people during workers convention at Secretariat in Lahore earlier this month following gold contribution by the leader Dr. Tahir ul Qadri has been witnessed. Propaganda against this by Punjab and federal govt. headed by Rahman Malik and Rana Sanaullah is becasue they are unable to come on the front and challenge the legal agenda presented by Dr. Tahir ul Qadri which is completely in accordance with Constitution, law of land and internationally established standards of democracy. They are physically trying to stop people from joining the long march by snatching the keys of the buses, forcing bus owners to return the advance booking, puncturing the tyres of buses and forcefully returning them. Even after all these bad tactics a large number of people have already joined the March. More that 1 million people are on the roads moving in a caravan led by Dr. Tahir ul Qadri and lots of vehicles out there waiting for the caravan to join in the forthcoming areas. Large number has already reached Islamabad and still a large number is still in thier localities of areas near Islamabad.
@Indian: Dr. Qadri's demand is only implimentation of constitution in holding elections. All previous elections have not been in accordance with the true letter and spirit of constitution as declared by the court also, hence culprits, criminals, tax evaders, utility bill defaulters have reached in parliament and gave bith to serious problems including poverty, hunger, terrorism, lawlessness, joblessness, bad governance,huge corruption etc. Hence constitution should be implimented in FULL and mechanism to be established to achive that.
I have been critically following the Pakistani Political scene for quite some time. As a matter of fact, After Quiad – e Azam this nation has not seen a true and sincere leader. People claim to be leaders but in reality they even dun know the definition of a leader. 95% Politicians are infact Wolves in Sheeps clothing who daily at Prime Time come on various TV Channels and befool the poor and inocent people of this country. Wat Dr. Qadri is saying is not wrong (endorsed by all pol parties). Then why the Govt has reservations on his march and coming to Islamabad ? Thats also his democratic right. As regards his past, so what i think his past is much much cleaner than the past/ present of majority of politicians of this country. Coming to the performance of the existing Govt, in the past 5 yrs they have gifted this country with Terrorism , Insecurity, Lawlessness, Rapid Inflation, Joblessness, Power Crisis, Closure of Industry, Lack of Basic Education, Lack of Basic Health Facilities, Shortage of Wheat n Sugar (off n on), impure drinking water etc. The list is unending.Now this nation desperately requires a true and sincere leadership who can steer the nation in a right direction (does not include leaders of two main pol parties of the country, as they have had their chances). If Dr.Qadri is true in his intent then best of Luck to him. Be Allah with all of them. . .
we should approciate this long march to eliminate corrution and this corrupt Govt.
There is nothing wrong for people having dual nationality and want to save pakistan. People from pakistan in overseas also want to help their paksitani brothers and save their countray from people like zardari and nawaz sharif. I think if somene want to help pakistan then let him help rather than saying , where were u before. I believe people who have or have been livingin overseas has more views and ability to do something better as they have learnt or have observe how good nations are developed.
I am very happy,finally someone has stand up to fight against these corrupt politicians,they have completely destroy our country,i wish this revolution will make a impact on our country, because we want that our upcoming generation can proudly says anywhere in the world that,We are Pakistanis......
@desi786: i would rather see my tax money going to protect allama instead of protecting zardari or rehman malik
Dr Sb seems to be the only hope for every common citizen of pak, since his ambitions are to help the poor and throw out the current corrupt system from pak, ALLAH will help him - Ameen
Shame on pakistanis who are against Dr just for the sake of his Islamic ideology
@Andrea:
When did Dr Qadri work with either Benazir or Musharraf? Would the gentleman care to give evidence?
"What’s worse, he’ll run off at any moment like he did when he went to Canada and adopted citizenship by swearing allegiance to the British Queen."
When, Where?
Dr.Tahir ul Qadri in front of Pakistani news media showed proof of where his funds came from. The general public of Pakistan and members of his organization Minhaj ul Quran International which is prevalent in over 90 countries donated money for the cause, some went as far as selling their cars, motorcycles, jewelry, phone, laptops and so on. The Interior Minister of Pakistan Rehman Malik is making contradictory statements from the beginning, prior to this march. He also went as far as creating a terroristic group to create alarm and fear among the general public; just one of many dirty political tactics. The long march is certainly gaining momentum the last update said 80000 have joined marchers from Lahore alone.
no talban are not terrorist it is just a propgenda and dont mix it with this evaluation just prayer for these people who want to make Pakistan a peacefull country @Waqar Cheema:
Aslam O alaikum Dr Sahab we r with u pray for Allah Bless u and ur followers
I hv been following Dr Qadri and i am neutral as i hv seen him v confused with stats he gave bout Indian Elections. He is calling tiger tiger bout interim PM. Imran Khan talks sense. Im an Indian n plz people follow IK he knows n has learned the tough way for march. Just look out y he didnt join Dr Qadri TMQ. FOLLOW I.K. he hs I.Q. in PTI. Dr Rajiv
@Beatle:
Well Dr. Qadri is not born yesterday. He knows fully the tactics of this govt of solving problem ie muk muka. Neither Dr. Qadri is in govt nor he intends to do it so it is not easy to buy him I think. There will be a march anyway. That is the reason he is not giving all his demands right now. He only gave 2 right now and the rest when he reach his destination. Just like he talked to Chaudries in front of the camera and people, thats how the talks will be going in front of media so they will not say later we did not promise that.
@abc:
Shame on you. Dr. Qadri's objective is not to dispose of Govt right now. His objective is to get a promise to empower election commision and implement the laws of election so that good qualified, honest and clean people stand in the election who is competant to rule the country. Election expense should not exceed 10-15 lakhs ruppes for MPA and MNA respt. so that a common man can also contest for election. At present time a contestants need crores of rupees and if they spend that much then he will surely do corruption to get crores back.
@Hafiz:
Long march by Dr. Qadri is also important. Had we good people in the Govt people would not have to do a march or protest. Thank Allah swt Imran Khan has joined the protestors in Quetta. I pray that somehow all these corrupt politicians will be wiped out in the next ellection. Ameen.
"Prepared to die for the cause", said one supporter.
I feel we are an entertainment starved nation, where such emotionally charged processions are sughals.
And our controlling politicians/leaders know how to exploit this aspect of our single-track public.
What a waste of resources, putting everyone in distress.
Qadri sahab Im very happy, because of you my exam tomorrow has been canceled.
Mujaddid-E-Rawan Sadi Dr. Tahir Ul Quadri Sahab. We are with you.
Tahir ul qadri has completely overshadowed Imran khan. It is 1-0 to Qadri against Imran khan.
we hate this established backed show.
@007: dude due to these leaders Pakistan has even gone down the rank than utopian/African countries. We are expecting famine in future Pakistan , how will next generations will give exams then? if you don't wanna participate then take these holidays as prep leaves.
Initially I wasn't in support of Dr Tahir's agenda and took him as some arrogant foreign agent. But now,especially after his 12 Jan, press conference, I think he is talking sense. people, who call him Canadian nationality holder, can please tell me what single nationality holder like zardari-nawaz has given to Pakistan? It's easy to say to surrender foreign nationality but deep down majority of you people want one for yourself. And for people who counter long march by commenting that it's an open invitation to marshal law ,then I would prefer marshal law over bilawal and hamza shebaz as our mighty leaders any day.
P.s people always say like they hate religious leader because they talk extremism and support terrorism and blah blah , but here he took our political way and also we should not be forgetting they way he slammed Malik riaz's presence, loved it :p
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: I think that Tahirul Qadri should be forced to pay for the costs of the additional security that his illegal march is incurring. This guy cares little about any system - after all he worked with Benazir and Musharraf so he will work with elected government and a military dictator. What's worse, he'll run off at any moment like he did when he went to Canada and adopted citizenship by swearing allegiance to the British Queen. If he tried to hold this type of rally in Canada he would be jailed - especially if he calls on the army not to listen to an elected government.
Rehman Malik announces a reward of Rs.50 lacs for information about Tahir ul Qadri's funding. Whew - Pathetic acknowledgement of failure by Chief of FIA; and we thought he knew everything beforehand
@AshKhan: Earlier Quaid-e-Azam type personalities came from west and now we have Mullah marching
@007: Exam cancelled? You should be dancing :P
@Indian: we r equally baffled. let us know if u figure it out.
we can just say "be safe everyone"
@Mirza: people protesting at quetta are with TAHIR UL QADRI...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=547356821941522&set=a.197966073547267.51200.180816168595591&type=1&theater
Due to this person our exam has been canceled, he is mad and his march will give no output except loss and destruction of Government resources. Please Don't stand with him he is a Canadian citizen, if he has a soft place for Pakistanis in his heart than why didn't he even condemn about the murderer of our 100's of Shea's brothers in Quetta? He is a pretender and can give nothing to us.
Dear Qadri Sb, Kindly first explain what the march is for? One day you say its about corruption and exploitation and all of a sudden you start imitating occupy movement agenda..Later you say its a democracy march..after a few hours you say this is an inqalab e hussaini against yazeediat..I believe you better take a long breath and decide what you are up for?
On the 15th of Jan there will be heavy rain of MANA-O-SALWA from the sky as a result of a Canadian Citzen's long March towards Islamabad from Lahore. We wish the British citizen could also join the LONNNNNG March but he is too afraid and so he's deprived of the resulting rain of MANA-O-SALWA.
Well we need maybe one more factor for the Army to have enough justification for a martial law. I would rather have martial law then a future where Hamza Shehbaz and Bilawal Zardari would be called Pakistan's leaders.
Every time a Mulla or a wanabe Politician claims to take a Long March to Islamabad insults the real Long March that began Mao Zedong's ascent to power. Its a shame we love to use anecdotes that don't match an iota of our character and attributes. Although I really pray these guys have a good party in Islamabad I don't see Zardari and Kyani bowing to the pressure of Mr Qadri Canadian as he mite talk some sense but doesn't have Mao's personal prestige.
Lets get the pop corns ready.
Hmm right now all i care about is the poor people of balochistan, i blame india and only india for these AND any new bomb blasts that could happen... Army we need you..
in sha ALLAH the change will come by this peaceful protest nd nobody will be hurted nd may ALLAH give us good nd honest rulers ameen
Let us recall in this moment our far-sighted, secular humanist and beloved Baba Bulle Shah:
Mullah and the torch-bearer, both from the same flock
Guiding others; themselves in the dark
We all want to change the corrupt system, without acknowledging, that the corrupt system is an outcome of our collective corrupt thinking and actions.
The highly polluted Beach at Clifton (colour of water is green with dead birds carcass), the stinking canal right through the city of Lahore, the piles of garbage everywhere, the millions of beggars(sweet and innocent children) at every light signal, the chaotic, inhuman and undisciplined traffic (either many have no driver`s license or obtained with bakshish), the every day mass killings of innocent civilians are only some examples what I observed .......................!!!!! Who is responsible for this inhuman and anarchical Pakistan? The corrupt Governments or our corrupt, bribe infected, inhuman and mashaallah, alhamdolillah, inshallah consciousness and accordingly life-style?
@Nauman: toilets are not needed, what do you think their mind are for?
@sana: Sana is right.
Tahir ul Qadri on fire. 1 lakh people with him from the begning of march and may be 3 lakh people join this march at the minar e pakistan.
Is he gonna stand in elections or not?
What is the point of disposing government 2 months before election? Why did Tahir-Ul-Qadri not appear before and now creating chaos right before election time.
Let us shower him with rose petals.
What about toilets Qadri sahib..? :p
What ever is the hidden agenda of Dr Qadri, on face of it it is good one. His long march should have been called earlier against this corrupt and unjust system and alliance of usurper of basic human rights of every citizen of our beloved country. Imagine how cold blooded are our rulers as no one budged even after ethnic killing of more then 90 people in Quetta. They should be ashamed of themselves. We need amny such selfless leaders to fight and stand for change of status quo.
@Kiran No doubt that majority of current lot sitting in the parliament are feudals, and tax evading corrupts. Even if you disquilify each and everyone of them, who you think will replace them? Only and only their family members. So what's the point in all this practice. We have to blame ourselves, the general public and common man on street. Its we who elect them again and again. despite their known character. @Pakistani Agreed 100% that our elctroral system needs to be reformed. But their is a constitutional way to do it. And why should we do on the protest and blackmailing by a foreign national. He has come here for some hidden agenda, and will dis-appear from the scene very soon.
Tahir Qadri we love you very much, You are a Ashiqe Rasul, We support you. Go ahed. we inspire from your speech. We discus in our meeting about your lecture in Q tv.
To hell this with march. We should take out marches against the slaughter of our Shia brothers in Quetta, and this coming from a Sunni.
@asim: That is what we call marching in style.......
@indian: The global objective is electoral reforms per constitution of Pakistan. Even though the Constitution is very elaborate regarding the criteria for the people who run for election as well as the procedure to follow during the election but the mechanism adopted in the Election Commission of Pakistan is flawed. To this end, he presents a 7 point agenda which will be elaborated in the set in. The first point of the agenda is related to the formation of an impartial election commission because apart from the chief election commissioner, all four heads of the provincial commissions are politically appointed by the provincial administrations.
we are with you qadri shab :) go ahead
Qadri riding in bullet proof car worth billion RS what a march..
Please be safe you guys. And pray that InshAllah no one is hurt.
@Indian: Qadri does not want elections in the country without electoral reforms and wants to be part of consultations on a caretaker government
Greetings, our Indian fried. Let us hope for peace and prosperity in our nations, and brotherly relations. Dr Qadri's fundamental objective is to have most of the current parliamentarians disqualified from running for another term on the grounds of them being corrupt, either due to tax evasion, non-repayment of loans, or bills,or using government funds for personal gain. This corruption, he argues, is the root-cause of the incompetence of the current political powers, as their main objective is never the people or good governance or the eradication of terrorism but rather to plunder government coffers with impunity. He wants the electoral commission to be free to disqualify corrupt candidates for the next election. He also wants to minimize the use of funds in elections and allow lower or middle class candidates a fair shot at winning elections.
people are surely risking their lives for something uncertain. we still have no idea of the main agenda, nor any clue of the trustworthiness of the concerned people. i assume there will be a start of riots if anything goes out of order...
As an Indian can any Pakistani friend explain to me what Qadri's objective is? I heard him talking about some court decision but haven't understood anything about his goal at all... what does he want the government to do???
Worry not guys!!! Everything is ""SETTLED"" last night with Chaudries personally and Malik Riaz electronically. Wait till tomorrow evening for the wind-up of this drama.
Do they realise there are six zeros at the end in a million? And an odd one at the front. So who will be the odd one at the front?
Is Qadri marching toward Quetta to protest against the genocide of innocent Muslims by the terrorists? What is the biggest problem of Pakistan today, and why are we talking everything other than that? He would have more respect of more people if he goes on march and dharna against the ethnic cleansing. The rest is mere politics.
My prayers are with Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri and all participants of long march.
May Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri's long march become fall of the most corrupt, selfish and without any governance "Roman Empire" in Pakistan. Ameen.
why govt has to bear cost of police, ranger employed staff for protection of Ulama when he has so many funds at his disposal. Is his more than President
Assuredly and surely federal and provincial governments are not going to be dissolved by this long march but by this long march there may/shall be the severe threats of terrorism and blasts because amongst the containers on the Islamabad's entry and exit points there is one container filled with 32-ton acid and batteries and the government placed this container intentionally besides knowing exactly and accurately about the harmfulness of the acid and batteries....
I hope by this democratic protest Govt will announce impartial caretaker on the completation of there five yras term.
I welcome to religious leader protest by re-coursing to democratic way which is completely different that Talban opted