Malik urges Qadri to vacate D-Chowk by Thursday

President Zardari says there will be no operation against protesters, Kaira confirms no force will be used.


Web Desk January 16, 2013
Interior minister says there are fresh credible threats from militants. PHOTO: PID/FILE

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minsiter Rehman Malik told Tahirul Qadri to vacate the protest location on D-Chowk, warning of an impending terror attacks, Express News reported.

Speaking at a press conference late on Wednesday, Malik said that latest intelligence reports suggested that militant groups were planning an attack on Qadri’s protest, where thousands had gathered, demanding the government to resign and install a caretaker set-up.

“If the impending attack comes, that you, Tahirul Qadri, will be responsible for it, you will be named in all the FIRs since you refused to listen to government and intelligence reports.”

Malik warned that there were six splinter groups of the Taliban and while he may have some sort of arrangement with one group, it was impossible to rule out possibility of an attack.

“I urge you to leave by tonight or latest by tomorrow afternoon,” Malik said, adding that if Qadri adheres to his timeline, then the interior minister was ready to facilitate the clerics transport.

The interior minister added that plans had been finalised for conducting targeted operations among section of Qadri’s supporters. He categorically said that the action will not be along the lines of Lal Masjid operation.

Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira while talking to Express News said that the government will not resort to any use of force but will use talks to resolve the matter, and no person, or organisation will be allowed to take the law in their own hands or disturb peace.

President Asif Ali Zardari though took note of Malik's statement and said that no operation would be conducted, Radio Pakistan reported.

Asked about Zardari's statement, Kaira told Express News that while that is a decision taken at a higher level, the policy remains the same.

COMMENTS (38)

desi786 | 11 years ago | Reply

there is no Dr Qadri rep in D- chowk. its open. Infact saw police/rangers b/w it till Blue area. Why donot you go back to the country to which you belong and transfer back all property to right owners

Jimmy | 11 years ago | Reply

My brother had to depart abroad yesterday morning and the day before his departure he went to meet his in laws in Islamabad. There was slight glitch in his travel documents and I had been quite tensed as I could not contact my brother on his mobile phone due to the mobile service blockade. Also there was no landline connection at his in laws’ home. But luck was there for him. He contacted me on my landline via PCO. I, simply say thanks to the landline service.

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