Lawmakers condemn ‘undemocratic forces’, support reserved seats for women. PHOTO: EXPRESS/ FILE
The treasury and the opposition in the Punjab Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on Thursday to condemn “conspiracies against democracy” and demanded that Dr Tahirul Qadri be arrested and tried for treason.
Prior to the resumption of the assembly session, which began three hours late at 6pm, the parliamentary leaders of the parties represented in the house agreed not to take up the business on the agenda. Instead, they would devote the day to the resolution and the condemnation of Dr Qadri, the head of the Minhajul Quran International (MQI), and his demands regarding the conduct of the general elections and the make-up of the caretaker government.
The house also passed a resolution condemning Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan’s reported statement – which he has since denied making – opposing reserved seats for women. Arifa Khalid of the PML-N presented the resolution. Lawmakers also criticised the actions of Young Doctors Association (YDA) member in Gujranwala.
Resolution
The “Resolution against conspiracies against democracy, assemblies and upcoming general elections” reads: “The house condemns conspiracies against democracy, assemblies and upcoming general elections. The house condemns the plan to [impose an] unelected person on the nation in order to postpone the upcoming elections. The house demands the federal government make arrangements without any fear for the upcoming general elections. The house demands all political forces unite against conspiracies including sabotage of the elections and democracy.”
PPP Parliamentary Leader Zulfiqar Gondal drafted the resolution while PPP Deputy Opposition Leader Shaukat Basra tabled it in the house.
Ehsanul Haq Naulatia of the PPP said that Dr Qadri had urged the army not to follow orders from the government and instead support his long march on Islamabad. This was tantamount to treason and the MQI chief should be tried under Article 6, he said.
Waris Kalo of the PML-N seconded Naulatia’s demand. He said that Dr Qadri had been trained by the US Central Intelligence Agency and the Pentagon. They had helped him establish a network of supporters in Pakistan. The US wanted Dr Qadri in power so it could “fulfil its nefarious designs” in the region.
“How can he call politicians corrupt and call them thieves when the courts have declared him to be a liar?” said Gondal, referring to a case back in 1990. He said that Qadri had supported dictatorship and opposed democracy in Pakistan. The PPP and the PML-N would work together to support and protect the democratic set-up, he said, adding that Dr Qadri had come to Pakistan with “the agenda of international forces”.
Dr Muhammad Akhtar Malik said that Dr Qadri had created uncertainty in Pakistan and this had resulted in the decline of the Karachi Stock Exchange index in recent days.
Basra demanded that the MQM make clear whether it backed the MQI or the PPP before January 14, when Dr Qadri is planning his long march to Islamabad, failing which Dr Zulfiqar Mirza would be “let loose”.
He asked Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani to check whether anyone from the military had helped bring Dr Qadri from Canada back to Pakistan. The chief justice of Pakistan, he said, should take suo moto notice of Dr Qadri’s actions. He said that his party would request its senior leadership to arrest and try Dr Qadri under Article 6.
Sheikh Alauddin of the Unification Bloc, speaking on a point of order, called for a debate on the “brutal torture” of the Gujranwala District Headquarters Hospital medical superintendent by the YDA. He said YDA members had previously attacked patients, journalists and policemen. Now they were beating up their own teachers.
Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan said that the house would hold a general debate on the YDA’s “shameful actions” on Friday.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 4th, 2013.
COMMENTS (17)
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1732012115-0/Untitled-design-(14)1732012115-0-270x192.webp "palestinians will be blessed with freedom")
Who is financing his march? He is a foreign national now and corrupt unless proven other wise. How much taxes he has paid to the govt of Pakistan? He has been living in Canada for the last six yrs.Can he release his tax returns for the last six yrs?If he does not release those return, then he is corrupt man unless proven other wise.
Now he is in politics and we the poor people of Pakistan has the right to know the source of income of any politician including Mr Qadri. Always follow the trail of money and you will know what kind of person is.
Muk Muka Exposed...!!! Dr. Qadri and IK are proving right that these two parties are on same agenda thats why opposing Electoral reforms...I firmly believe electoral reforms will benefit PTI more....Thanks to Dr. Qadri
@Mirza: This "Mullah" is the better of the two. Now 90% of us go to masjid or believe in Islam, so there is no chance in near future that by "drinking & watching cable" you can make Mullah disappear. Instead, you are just asking for the more deathly & violant one by denying this one a chance, got it? On top of all that this one denouces any violance and accept other Sects, creed, race and religions as part of society. All he is asking is to "follow the Pak constitution" now why our leaders are against that, make me wonder?
What an absolute farce! Politicians are unable to deal with Dr Qadri's demands for electoral reforms aimed at providing the disenfranchised with a voice!. Throw people in jail if they intend on using their constitutional and democratic rights to peaceful protest against corrupt practices. I wonder why these despots have such a problem with ensuring elections are free, fair and held according to constitutional imperatives??? Hmmm it won't take more than one guess!
people please...instead of listening to baseless accusations and cheap propaganda, listen to what 14Jan is about.
1) "He ran away"... Dr Qadri has done more service for the Muslims across the world than all politicians put together. He was portrayed a moderate image of Islam in the west for which we should be indebted to him
2) He clearly said on many occasions that he DOES NO WANT TO DISRUPT THE ELECTION PROCESS. I really dont understand why these 'anchors' are spreading this even after getting direct confirmation from Dr Qadri himself. So please, if you are sincere Pakistani and a Muslim, stop spreading such nonsense!
3) "imported Mulla" If this is your level of discussion then plase stay away from commenting as no one will take you seriously.
4) I challenge anyone where to show me, with proof, a single point where Dr Qadri wants to break the law or go against constitution. This is mere propaganda. The reality is he has quoted articles from the constitution backing up his claim.
I sincerely advise you to listen to him first then judge. Or else you will look extremely foolish
ws
This is realy called "MukMuka". A person requesting for implementation of constitution is said to be rewarded with treason ? Alas, This can only happen in Pakistan
Dand has st. Tahir-ul- qadriis a respectable man of honor and had spoken against the forces of corruption and status quo.He wants to change the corrupt Pakistan, D system before elections to bring in the changehe is a nationalist and leader of the millions of people who sarevhis die hard followers. ThePunjab Assembly has done a great disservice to the people of Pakistan by declaring drr tTahir ul Qadri a conspirator and a tritor. He has made a Call for aMarch a oeaceful March ,not a call for arms. It is every patriotic citizens right to peace full protest against the government and arouse the people from slumber and deep sleep.
The assembly has shown its disdain and wrong fully involved the people to decry Dr. Sahib. The passage of resolution is unfortunate incident.theyhave no right to condemn a muslim scholar of great repute and leader of ,illions of oeople. We condemn this action , Let there be long marech and decide their fate at that gathering Jt will be converted into the real assenbky of the people of Pakistan, Let there be light showered at theParliamentSincerely JAVAID BASHIR Attorney at law
Yes He must be tried for treason and put in JAIL for next 100 yrs or till he dies which ever come first.
It seems there is no shortage of saleable mullahs for any purpose; disrupting any system, bombing neighbours, internal suicide attacks, "fatwas" as desired if the price is right. Tahir is only the latest clown in this circus!
PML N should take the services of LHC which is other wise an extension of PML N judicial wing.
Honourable Punjab Assembly, when the systems fail and stops delivering then movements and public uprisings come from outside the systems. And by the way why should,nt the Punjab Assembly and, for that matter, all the assemblies be proceeded against for not delivering and giving a chance to the people to rise against the system?
IK was right in his prediction that PPP and PML-N will forge alliance with the close of elections time and the results are not surprising.
@Ch. Allah Daad: You posted a comment without mentioning the name of IK, amazing.
Yet another imported mullah is the last thing Pakistan needs as if we do not already have enough of them!
@Ch. Allah Daad: Agreed that Tahirul Qadri should just be deported. He ran away and obtained Canadian citizenship and now he thinks he can return with the money of others to cause chaos and anarchy? Instead of allowing elections to be held on time he wants to act like some big shot and cause trouble. He should have learned that nations like Canada have laws and institutions that have to be respected but he wants to break such laws in Pakistan. I am sure if he called for a march on the Canadian capital if they did not meet his demands, the Canadian authorities would just arrest him. Tahir Qadri does not believe in law and order since by history he is a supporter of illegal acts and dictatorships. Imagine a guy in the US telling the US army not to listen to the US government!
If dual nationals are not allowed to contest elections then why they are allowed to disrupt election process? Just deport him, otherwise he will start a civil war in the country.