Qadri’s long march : PML-N leaves the matter to federal government

Nawaz reiterates demands for immediate announcement of election schedule.

LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has decided that the Punjab government will not stop Tahirul Qadri, the founder of Minhajul Quran International (MQI), from taking out a long march, The Express Tribune has learnt.

According to sources, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif presided over a high-level party meeting on Wednesday which debated the political scenario following Dr Qadri’s sudden return and possible repercussions of his long march. Sources claimed that with respect to the latter, the PML-N leadership decided to leave the matter in the hands of the federal government.



The PML-N leadership also discussed what could be the “hidden agenda” of Dr Qadri under the guise of demands for electoral reforms, sources told The Express Tribune.

They said the party leadership considered Dr Qadri’s proposals – amending the Constitution to introduce a presidential form of government, carving out 16 provinces in the country and providing those hailing from oppressed communities and remote areas proportionate representation in the assemblies – an uphill task and impossible to implement before his January 10 deadline.

The PML-N leaders observed the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had already termed the MQI chief’s demands ‘illogical’.

Talking to The Express Tribune, PML-N deputy secretary general Ahsan Iqbal said Dr Qadri has an “international” agenda and may call off his mission when the “bells ring”. Terming Dr Qadri a puppet, he added that the MQI chief would be exposed on the day of his long march.

Iqbal’s statement was alluded to by sources within the party, who said the PML-N leadership discussed a possible “foreign hand” behind his return.

The party leaders discussed whether international lobbies might be trying to exert pressure on the PML-N through Dr Qadri in order to obtain certain sureties from the party as US and Nato forces withdraw from Afghanistan.

PML-N’s statement

In a brief statement following the meeting, the PML-N vowed to foil any conspiracy to delay the upcoming general elections.

“The continuity of democracy is the right of the people and Pakistan cannot afford any unpredictability right now,” Nawaz Sharif was quoted as saying at the meeting. He termed elements trying to derail democracy “followers of dictatorship” and said they were placing the country’s future at stake.

“The entire nation can see who is trying to fulfill whose agenda … those trying to storm the capital were once the close associates of a dictator.”

Nawaz reiterated demands that the government immediately announce the election date in order to end current uncertainty.  “The nation is ready to see a peaceful and democratic transition,” he maintained.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3^rd, 2013.