Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Allama Tahirul Qadri. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) has warned the government of serious consequences if it tries to arrest or harass its party chief, Allama Tahirul Qadri, who is due in Pakistan on June 23.
Local media is rife with speculation about government’s plan to arrest PAT leader, who plans to launch an anti-government movement on his return from Canada next week.
Issuing a strongly worded warning, spokesperson for the party, Umar Ayaz Abbasi, said that any action against the workers and party chief on his arrival will be ‘suicidal’ for the government.
“We have several options in case the government resorts to any adventurism”, he stated.
Highlighting the party’s strategy, he said “Right after Eid, PAT and likeminded political groups will launch a street protest against the government.”
The spokesperson said that his party was not seeking any security from the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) led administration for its leader.
“Since we don’t accept the legitimacy of this government we will not seek security from it,” a defiant Abbasi said.
While addressing the media, PAT spokesperson denied allegations of financial irregularities in Minhajul Quran International (MQI), a welfare organisation run by Qadri. Dispelling media reports, he described the corruption allegations as part of a ‘’meaningless game’’ against his party chief.
Despite the political rancor, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said that the government had no intention to arrest the PAT leader.
However, the minister said that Qadri must be held accountable for allegations of massive financial impropriety that plague the welfare organization he heads.
Talking to The Express Tribune, the information minister said, “Qadri will be held answerable for Rs1.5 billion he spent on the media publicity campaign during his last visit.”
The minister accused Qadri of paying Rs32,00 in taxes while he spent an exuberant amount on the advertising campaign during his ‘container movement’ that converged on the capital last year.
Rashid said that spending funds collected in the name of charity on political activates is illegal. “Government will not arrest him, but like Musharraf he will have to face the charges.” he stated.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) stalwart, Syed Khursheed Shah also cautioned the government of serious repercussions if it plans to arrest PAT chief. He said that the government will be dislodged within six months if it commits such a mistake.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 16th, 2014.
COMMENTS (24)
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if he wants to bring change he should do it the lawful way through votes. clearly no one wants him, considering his has no votes. what makes him different from the taliban if he thinks he can just come here and force himself on us and the government ? he knows the majority doesnt support him, now he wants to force. what a joke.
To change prevailing corrupt system and being in accountability is need of the hour and people like Professor Qadri should be given chance as well.
Vision for a prosperous and welfare state with equal rights for all and able meritorious leading team is needed now rather than the same story of 60 years and thats why Doctor Muhammad Tahir ul Qadri is to steer Pakistan out of the crisis
@haji g: Vision to run away and live in Canada while he collects welfare? What vision is that? Live in a nation founded on democratic principles but then return to Pakistan and cause trouble because he is against democracy as being unislamic? Can anyone take this character seriously?
I think people of Pakistan should realize now that after 65 years nothing has changed. Nation should get up against this corrupt leaders from N to Z (40 years in Govt) but only they filled up SWISS BANK and property in all big cities in world. At present Dr Tahir ul Qadri is the only leader not in Pakistan but whole Muslim Ummeh to be proud of.
Dr.Qadri is a Pakistani citizen by birth so wats the issue? the issue is the status quo of the fakedemocracy in Pakistan land mafia and political terrorists like PMLN which need to be eradicated with GreenRevolution according to Constitution article 16
We need a real leader in Pakistan like Dr.Qadri he's excellent with an unbelievable vision
Dr Qadri is Pakistani citizen. He has gicen solution for the protection of Pakistan. People can't attack his policies so they get personal. Allah and His beloved SAWW is with him.
Rulers have become nonplussed.They see their political end in sight. They know people would rise & end their dynasty. Hence why they are paying people to spread lies and allegation against #TUQ
We need Dr Prof Tahir ul Qadri to return to Pakistan and save the country. He has done more to help and benefit the country than criminal politicians like the Nawaz Sharif brothers.
The fraud government needs investigating and arresting for taking out more loans in the past year than the previous government did in 5 years!! Why did Nawaz Sharif put $200 billion Pakistani money in Swiss banks?!
"Umar Ayaz Abbasi, said that any action against the workers and party chief on his arrival will be ‘suicidal’ for the government." It seems every Tom and Harry is threatening the State of Pakistan. There is one sitting in London and this one is the citizen of Canada, both of them are living comfortable lives and both of them are being used for their political purposes by British and Canadian governments respectively. If any one believes differently, they are either naive or just plain morons. Yes, any foreigners spending millions of rupees on their political gatherings in Pakistan should be asked where are they getting the money and who is financing them, they must justify to the sitting government otherwise any one could come in the country and spread the money to create political difficulties for the country. Who is he any way and has he ever established any schools, colleges, hospitals, orphanages or given any scholarships to the deserving Pakistani students to study for higher education in Canada. Any government of the day has the right to look into his finances because for practical purposes he is a foreigner in Pakistan and had taken an oath of allegiance to the Canadian government.
@Mirza: Agree with you 100% but what why do you loose your voice when another foreign citizen from London,living off benefits,does the exact same! what's with these double standards?
If it was upto Nawaz Govt they would arest all opponents and deport free thinking Pakistani People no hope for us plebs in this doom crcay
We declared war on one border and the other is already aditated and this man wants to come and create further unrest. Disgusting.
Sensible and educated persons should stay away from Pakistan. We are corrupt. We want corrupt leaders. We deserve it.
@the Skunk: Mashallah, then we xcan bring all the people having doctarate degrees and handover control to them. being literate does not mean that one has sound character as well. moreover, he does not have a soingle seat this time, as people never voted for him. he can earn monery and live lavish lifestyle whatever he wants, get donation from followers, but he has no right to come and disrupt operations of our country.
Qadri is acting on behalf of rogue faction of ISI. He is nothing more of a puppet being used to derail electoral process. Such scholars have added nothing significant to the lives of ordinary people. any one who has confusions regarding his ambitions can go to the Youtube and watch "Jhota Khawab" video. i can bet you will change your mind afterwards.
Qadri is coming here because he is an educated and highly literate man. A grand alliance can become operational to get rid of the old Constitution and bring in an EQUITABLE one with more provinces. Let us see which way the dice rolls. Salams
These foreign citizens who have been on welfare money of those countries and gotten their status on the basis that their lives in Pakistan are not safe. These same people now spend millions and money is pouring in. Let us put him with Mumtaz Qadri in jail so both can live comfortably.
I say to Govt to arrest Qadri and others like him because we don't want these self centered persons to interfere in our life - if they want to change the system then get the enough votes to change the system, otherwise arrest all these dramas as soon as they plan any drama and handle them brutally because we silent majority don't want these people to impose their will on us. Long live Pakistan.
Why this canadian citizen interesting in Pakistan.
He can go anywhere for holiday why he is coming to Pakistan create more trouble for simple and poor people.
Not an honest nor loyal with us all politicians are liars dont believe in them & start thinking now. Dont become more stupid & repeat your mistakes.
Please please please!
I love my country Pakistan.