PAT announces it will not take part in elections

Tahirul Qadri says pace of accountability is way too slow than pace of corruption

LAHORE: While laying emphasis on a total overhaul of the political setup through quick and across the board accountability, the Pakistan Awami Tahreek (PAT) has announced it will refrain from participation in the upcoming general election scheduled for July 25.

“We don’t want to become a part of this system that is based on corruption. We cannot participate in polls with criminals, who have started a war against the state. We cannot become a part of this system that tramples basic rights of citizens,” said PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri on Saturday in a press conference.

Qadri said neither the PAT will issue tickets nor any of its office-bearers will participate in 2018 general election. He directed his party leaders to withdraw their nominations according to the party decision.

The PAT chief clarified that he had purposefully avoided using the word ‘boycott’ because, according to him, it gives a wrong impression that the party is against democracy.

“The PAT supports democracy in its true and universally accepted sense but we cannot be a part of the system that supports crimes in the name of democracy. The current political system in Pakistan protects the corrupt and suppresses the poor,” he added.

In 2012, he said, his party had initiated a struggle to save the state, held a long march and raised awareness among people about Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution of Pakistan.

He said there was a buzz of accountability for past one year but no major decision was announced, adding that in several cases final arguments had completed but the verdict was yet to be announced.

“This clearly indicates seriousness of institutions responsible for accountability. The PAT sticks to its original stance that the country needs a reform, accountability and then elections,” he said.



Recalling the police operation outside his residence in Lahore and subsequent killing of 14 PAT workers, the PAT chief questioned whether it was democracy that happened on June 17, 2014, in Model Town.

“We are disassociating ourselves from election because nomination papers of thieves, murderers, corrupts and criminals have been accepted. There is no room for honest middle class in this system.

“I can foresee that corrupt and criminal electables will once again reach assemblies after winning elections because the system is designed for electables,” he added.

Criticising slow pace of accountability in Pakistan, Qadri said corruption is being done with jet speed but accountability is taking place on ox-cart pace.

Every time notices are taken in corruption scams but no decision is seen. There was a great buzz of Asghar Khan case in the media. Notices were severed to bring back looted money from Swiss banks. Loan defaulters’ lists were prepared. But it all goes in vain as no result is seen yet.

The chief justice of Pakistan, he said, had directed the Lahore High Court to conclude hearing of appeals in Model Town carnage case in 15 days but the court is not giving date for hearing.

He said the parliamentary committee on election reforms deceived the entire nation by removing Article 62 and 63 from nomination papers. “The same committee has also amended oath about finality of the Prophethood. Both bearded and clean-shaven people are equally responsible for these wrongdoings.”