Stuck in old grooves: Imran and Qadri as unyielding as ever

Imran says he will not go unless PM resigns; jirga gives ‘win-win formula’ .


Qamar Zaman September 12, 2014

ISLAMABAD:


The deadlock persists. Despite over a dozen rounds of talks between the protesters and the government, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) leaders on Thursday insisted they would continue their sit-ins till the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.


“Have as many meetings as you can, the sit-in will not end without resignation of the PM,” said PTI chief Imran Khan, as he addressed his supporters at D-chowk. The comments came as a team of senior PTI leaders was earnestly engaged in discussions with members of the opposition jirga inside the PTI container.

“Nawaz Sharif would have to demonstrate some patience, the protest will prolong,” he said, adding that he was eagerly awaiting Saturday – the day marking 30 days since the PTI and PAT led processions poured out of Lahore. “What would I do if the sit-in ends? How would I spend my evenings?” said a rhetorical Khan, who is expected to make yet another important announcement on Saturday.

Not to be left behind, Dr Tahirul Qadri also prophesized that it was a matter of days before the government would be thrown out and the protesters were but a few days away from their destination. “The government is going to end during the month of September,” he added.



In keeping with his legal background, Qadri’s address revolved around the Constitution wherein he referred to its preamble and objectives resolution by saying, “It was the dream of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah… The Constitution says that people can choose their representatives but this is not happening because decisions are made by heads of political parties, who are given millions by candidates in return for party tickets.”

“This is mutiny against Quaid-e-Azam,” he added.

Talking about the ongoing joint session of parliament, he said there was no precedent of the parliament being in session for this long, with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in attendance. “The people of Pakistan pushed you (rulers) to attend the session and tolerate harsh criticism of the opposition,” he added.

Addressing members of parliament, the firebrand cleric-turned-politico reminded parliamentarians that the people had been sending them to parliament for the last 65 years, but got nothing in return. “Open windows of your parliament house and see the real Pakistan at Constitution Avenue,” he added.

Talking about the cancellation of the Chinese president’s visit, he said the government was not telling the truth as the Chinese had no issues with the protestors. “The visit has been cancelled because you [rulers] did not want to show the real face of Pakistan to the Chinese,” he added.

Political Jirga

After meeting with leaders of both the protesting parties, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq said that the opposition Jirga had conveyed an ‘easy solution’ to the current political impasse, adding that all three parties should pay heed to the suggestions given. The suggestions, he said, were given in writing and were signed by Jirga members.

“We have heard the viewpoint of all the parties and our proposed solution would be a win-win situation for everyone,” he added.

Talks between the government and PTI have once again stalled over two issues. These include; the terms of reference of the proposed judicial commission to look into allegations of rigging, the number of constituencies to be examined and whether or not there was systematic rigging.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2014.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ