Tahirul Qadri's sudden arrival on the scene is somewhat puzzling, especially in context of overall national scenario. PHOTO: NNI/ FILE
There are also other points to ponder carefully. The sudden arrival of Dr Qadri on the scene is somewhat puzzling, especially in the context of the overall national scenario. We also need to ask how this immaculately planned rally was financed — with its six separate security gates, its highly organised seating plan with ‘professionals’ placed in front rows and hordes of volunteers to supervise things. We all know how things work in our country and the question of ‘string-pulling’ from behind the scenes quickly comes to mind.
What, then, is the real role of Dr Tahirul Qadri? The urge to force change in the electoral set-up in the country has come to him at a highly awkward time — just ahead of scheduled polls. The religious leader, who has tried a dip in politics before, this time takes the MQM with him; a delegation from the party attended the rally. The PTI has also offered tacit support.
From the size of the rally, it is clear there are those who believe in Dr Qadri. His moderate religious views come as a relief. But huge gatherings, so suddenly staged, will always raise eyebrows and right now, the impact and role of Dr Qadri on an already unstable scene will be watched with much care and much conjecture over the coming days and weeks.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 25th, 2012.
COMMENTS (27)
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He is the man to bring change..why cant you pakistanis see it ?!!!!!
He is the man and we are with him insha'Allah! Dr. Qadri Aap Qadam Bardhao, Hum Aap Ke Saath Hai! March on 14th January!
a lot of weirdo's here who support this man. God help us.
@Raja: Your clip really shows the hypocritical nature of Tahirul Qadri- I was shocked at how he easily changes his words whenever he wishes but has the audacity to say he is 100 % truthful. I think when more Pakistanis research his character, he will have to run away - this os probably why he had to take Canadian citizenship in the first place!
Who people we are? A Canadian citizen appears out of nowhere and start threatening our government and our system and is trying to force his aspirations with threats of agitation and we are seeing mass gatherings at his public meetings like one in Lahore. Our system is flawed like every system in the world and we have all the problems upon us. It’s we who are suffering the brunt and its we who are at the receiving end all these years, when this Tahir ul Qadri was on extended world tour enjoying cooler and peaceful capitals of world, receiving “sajdas” from his followers, acting like a Khalifa, and during this enjoyment he also got the Canadian citizenship. Is Canada an Islamic country Sheikh ul Islam? Now he has come back and puffing and huffing and fuming. Claiming that the present electoral and political system is a sheer violation of the Constitution, Tehrik-e-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) chairman Dr Tahirul Qadri has threatened to lead a protest march on the federal capital if the government fails to begin electoral reforms by January 10, 2013.
Hand of God's destiney extends beyond limits. It seems God's destiny has brought this man to Pakistan.Is his fate going to be sealed? Has the time arrived to crush hypocrites.There are visible signes (dekho jo deeda'e ibrat nigah'h ho)
Dear Brothers, Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri is 100% correct, Why, because if the Government does not comply with all the clauses of the constitution in election process, the in coming elections will be unlawful.
My question to people who are blaming Mr. Qadri for not being in Pakistan for past years and being a part of the establishment and blahh blah bla..
His demands are very sensible and reasonable. If you want election and expect it to bring change according to this so-called Democratic System.. if this is so, it indicates that you want PML N to come since this election would be won by Nawaz only because of PPP unpopularity or maybe PPP and they will eat the blessed land of Pakistan for 5 years and then there will be another election and then again one of the two parties will come up.
You call this democracy? I don't! You call Dr. Qadri's demands is to extend the elections? I would be fine no matter how long it takes to correct the system.. I don't care about the elections. Hum log aam awaam hai, hamare ghar pe election se koi farq nahi parega.. jo koi bhi ayee humein lootienge.. but yes, agar corruption khatam hojae and then election ho there is still some hope.
Entire personality of Dr Qadri can be understood by watching this well researched video clip;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6F2W_m2PXo
I wonder if such a person can be trusted for anything he says or promises to people of Pakistan.
This man is a new test tube baby cloned in establishment´s laboratory after the failure of previous test tube baby launched last year by them. Establishment will never stop from doing its dirty work.
Mr. Tahir-ul-Qadri will be playing a very important role in the politics of Pakistan.
He is going to change the direction of the country if his party will come into power in the next general elections.
No matter if he is been allowed by the Election Commission of Pakistan to contest in the next general elections, but people will see a positive impact in the politics of Pakistan.
Please brother and sisters of my beloved country wake up for the sake of Pakistan stop making ridiculous comments and evaluate what he has said. Why are we not entitled to have a pakistan which is corruption free and honest leaders who work for the betterment of the whole country. My understanding is all he has said let's have elections according to the constitution, many people just keep commenting about elections being delayed. I listened to the speech he said if required to fulfill the other parts of the constitution the constitution allows a delay. Why do we not look at other parts of the constitution which talk about the rights of ordinary people, that leaders should be honest, people should have a right to safety, security, food, basic. Can any good person without millions of rupees and an army of gangsters fight an elections very rarely. PLEASE WAKE UP AND STOP MAKING RIDICULOUS CONSPIRACY THEORIES IT IS ABOUT TIME WE MAKE PAKISTAN A SUPERB COUNTRY
Dr.Qadri is too busy for being PM or President. He wants a national government consisting of patriots. Dr. Qadri will simply be taking an advisory role. Once the electoral system gets cleansed Dr. Qadri will go back to religious and intellectual contributions.
why do i get a feeling all this will benefit imran khan ultimaltey
Don't know much about this guy, but after searching about him on Google I found an interesting thing that his Wikipedia page is somehow blocked by PTA.
Pakistan needs secular forces to improve the bad image the country has. Qadri should ask himserlf why he moved to a country like Canada. I know because Canda does not have a consttution based on faith. We want Pakistan to progress like that.
Pakistan has been lucky to have so many "saviours". Jinnah, ZAB, Musharaff, IK and now this guy..
@TruthNFacts: Please name the non-civilian actors so that we all know who is the real culprit and danger to our fragile democratic process.
He is the man! We are with you. If you call us, we will be on the streets of Islamabad insha'Allah.
To me it looks like Democracy is under some threat from forces out to weaken it. Who is backing him is a matter that needs investigation but whoever it may be does not have too much love for democratic forces.
The non-civilian actors are extremely worried as democratic government is successfully completing, for the first time in the history of Pakistan, its tenure and preparing for upcoming elections. During this tenure, despite their best efforts, wishes and multiple attempts, they could not destabilise elected government. To a large extent, the credit goes to Mian Nawaz Sharif who supported democratic process and declined to play the same nasty role directed by security establishment as in the 80′s and 90′s. He remained consistent with his determination and commitment towards democracy and expressed it several times. For this reason, security establishment has been quite angry with Mian sahib and used different tactics to teach him lessons from time to time for disobeying their directives. These non-civilian actors know it very well that continuation of democratic process will eventually decimate their ugly role, which they have been playing since independence. Therefore, they are trying all the weapons in their arsenal including paid puppets, anchors, and journalists to discontinue democratic process and form an unconstitutional interim government. I am glad that urban Punjab has fully realised the role of establishment and not ready to accept the dominance of non-civilian actors any more. This is really a big ray of hope and last chance to save federation.
If anyone is demanding and pressurring election commission of Pakistan to not allow dishonest and tax evaders to contest coming election and to make sure that people can cast their vote free of any influence then I don't care who that person is he has my support let him Anna hazari of pak or whatever you wana call him , I don't care if he is a Canadian citizen all I care that his demand from election commission is just and I whole heartedly support him
PTI has not offered any "tacit" support to Dr. Qadri. Facebook updates by PTI officials on the day of the rally were full of bewilderment and skepticism. I can understand that the editor enjoy artistic license but the right to misrepresent facts they do not. The attempt to include PTI in the conspiracy theory that Dr. Qadri is another prop for the establishment certainly goes in line with what ET has been selling for a while now, but I am sure that most readers know better than to buy into this concocted tale.
Is he a Canadian citizen?
Mr Qadri is a Canadian citizen now and should be treated like that. Mr Qadri should love his new girl friend (Canada) and must not give any threat to old girl friend. (Pakistan).