This photo released by the Minhajul Quran shows Tahirul Qadri in a meeting with PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and deputy prime minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi on Friday. PHOTO: COURTESY MQI/FILE
Qadri initially told media gathered outside his house that he was having his hair trimmed as he waited for the evening meeting. He was told that Malik Riaz had accompanied other members of the delegation led by Chaudhry Shujaat. At this, Qadri stormed out and vowed that given the presence of Malik Riaz in such meetings usually carried the perception that the negotiating party would be tempted with money.
“I am the murid (disciple) of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Gillani, even if you put all the wealth of the world together, Tahirul Qadri's shoe cannot be bought,” he declared.
However, soon the confusion regarding Malik Riaz’s presence was cleared. Riaz said that he had arrived in good faith, and that in the interest of continuing negotiations with the government he would leave.
The MQI chief apologised and explained his position that the modus operandi adopted by the politicians and rulers was such that false notions circulated with Malik Riaz around. “If I had met with or even was seen in the presence of Malik Riaz, the media would have twisted it out of context,” Qadri said, adding "It does not merit that the movement be subjected to such labels."
“The situation is such that I cannot put the reputation and integrity of the march under doubt.”
PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat conceded that they had not given advance notice about bringing Malik Riaz to meeting. But he pointed out the positive role Riaz had played in the society including getting Pakistani sailors held by Somali pirates released by paying part of their ransom.
Deputy Prime Minister Pervez Elahi said that they have been talking to the president and prime minister about the demands put forward by Qadri. “We want to solve this amicably. We talked to the Prime Minister and President on the charter of demands that Qadri presented and were hoping to solve this today.”
The meeting resumed after Malik Riaz left.
Legal snags
Elahi added that during negotiations there were some legal complications over some of the demands.
“So we sat down to give a legal face to this and how to implement this.”
The deputy prime minister added that they were working on forging a mechanism to implement the changes demanded by Qadri. “For implementation as well we want to see how to give it legal cover and implement this legally.”
The MQI chief said that the government had time till the march reaches Islamabad on January 14 to present a formula or framework through which the demands would be implemented. He ruled out that the march will be cancelled or postponed and that it could be “bought out.”
No one is safe
Elahi, who seemed resigned to the fact that the march will go through, said that they wanted maximum security for those participating in the march.
“Terrorism and such are not in the hands of any one. No one is safe.”
“We are on the path of settlement, and hope nothing happens in which lives are lost,” he added.
Correction: An earlier version of this article misspelled shows in the photo caption. The error is regretted.
COMMENTS (28)
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1732523125-0/Express-Tribune-(7)1732523125-0-270x192.webp "atc approves physical remand of pti workers arrested during protest in islamabad")
Dr.Tahir ul Qadri is very honest man and doing long march for our poor people.i fully support with him.
Press/TV Channels have blacked out the march. talk of free press........
I was all for Tahir Qadri and sold to his cause this evening. I was planning to join his Long March and had arranged for blankets for myself and colleagues. But after seeing Qadri's Tamasha today, we have been totally let down by him... After protesting against all mismanagement and corruption of the existing government he holds a press conference with the Chaudry Brothers and calls him his brothers and Moonis Elahi of NIC fame his son!!! We are in total shock by this. Tahir Qadri may be able to lead a prayer sermon and manage a Masjid as an Imam but he cannot be the leader of a country.
Imran Khan is much more consistent in his views, his thoughts and strategy.
Wait and see this long march fizzle out like a two rupee birthday baloon.
@Ricky: Lives of 2 dacoits in Lahore, or a gangster in Karachi are more important than the lives of more than 100 innocents slaughtered mercilessly in Quetta.
Government has send a corrupt and crook Malik Riaz to buy out the most educated,honest and sincere politician like Dr Quadri. Every person who want that a chage in present corrupt systems must support Dr Quadri. All polical parties are suuporting the present corrpt systems so that they get elected again and again. PTI role is very disappointing like MQM role . Dr is going on right struggle to change the fate of common person in Pakistan.I pray to Allah for the success of Long March.
Don't agree with TUQ, but the very fact that he isn't willing to compromise on the integrity of his objective is respectable.
Very well done Qadri Sahib, people like you are required to keep these gang of swindlers, thugs and plunderers away from taking second shift as per the Mazaq-e-Jamhuriat. I can understand the fire of patriotism, which you developed while staying away from the country. We fully appreciate the way you saved yourself from these Choudhry Brothers of Syyan Choudhry (famous dancer), accompanied with their known agent Malik Riaz. They would have defamed you and black mailed you, as they did with Musharraf. Just don't bother about these allegations. Even if Christ reappear as stated in the book, our Jamhuras will accuse him as well to be an agent, sent by America.
@ ch. Allah Daad What is new about this foreign 'leader' coming back to interfere, don't most Pakistani 'leaders' go to London or Dubai and continue to indulge in Pak affairs? No one is jailed!
It's really funny how critics of Tahir Ul Qadri only mention one thing and that is his canadian nationality. The guy completed his law degree in Pakistan, did his PhD in Pakistan, taught at the Punjab University and then led prayers at a mosque in Pakistan but if you go out of the country for 3 years you're considered an import. The funny thing is, during those three years he made tours to the USA, UK, Norway, Egypt, India, Saudi Arabia, Iran so he hardly spent much time in Canada anyway. His purpose was so that he could travel around the world using his Canadian nationality.
@stevenson:
Dear, why not say something about his agenda? Every bit of it , as per the constitution and the Supreme Court's Judgement of June 8, 2012 ?? What are you guys afraid of? That this guy here has challenged the status quo? All and sundry, the Taliban Sponsoring Mullahs (Jamaat-e-Islami, Fazlur Rehman, Sipah-e-Sahaba/ASWJ, Hafiz Saeed etc) and the so called liberal Democrats (Nawaz Sharif & Co and Mr. Zardari & Co) and the 'Men of honour and integrity' of the TV talk shows from the very 'vibrant' (read biased) media are trying to play him down? Come on be a sport, whether a failure or success, why are you guys so bothered about it.....what is it that you guys will lose?
I am very confused. Can someone clarify? I stay reasonably up to date about key figures and all the ups and downs in Pakistan but until few weeks ago I had NEVER heard of QADRI. Why? Why does he suddenly appears on stage in Pakistan. All leaders are afraid of him. All are taking him seriously. All leaders are talking to him. All I can say is "KUCH DAAL ME KALA HAI". What is this KALA I don't know. I do know that for decades it is in many countries NATIONAL interest to work towards destabilizing Pakistan in a steady slow pace even it takes years. This we see is happening. This cannot happen without the support of some Pakistanis in leadership positions.
A bit of proof-reading, editing would help. The caption under the photo mentions " Minhaj-ul-Quran shoes"; instead of shows.
@Jibran:
He has already done this so in his press conference while presenting the initial demands.
@ John the Baptist,..Malik Riaz went to buy Qadri but Qadri is not for sale. He was only available to hire and hidden hands have already hired him.
@Ch. Allah Dad
You seems in minority by supporting the corrupt mafia. Masses are set to send these corrupt politicians to the Arabian Sea. Both PMLN and PPP have looted to the extent that survial of Pakistan has been put on stake. You shall also support Qadri Sahib to clean up the system.
What is this man of principle Qadri doing to protest the whole sale massacre of Shia and Tribal civilians? When would he hear their cries or there is no political advantage to have a march for these victims? When a couple of questionable characters were killed the whole nation rose against Ray Davis. Why no outrage now, not even in the media.
@Ch. Allah Daad:
Stop smoking the hukka--you should be complaining about what the "government" is doing with that crook Malik Riaz?
Guys is the march going to take place? yes or no?
Why government is even talking to him? He should be thrown into jail and then deported to his country. First we were threatened with Tsunami and now on the horizon is this Snow Storm from Canada. Next is Blood Storm.
First time I had the opportunity to hear dr qadri on program with kamran shahid yesterday for few minutes.Let me admit he is not only a great orator but also is a very confident person.But still I believe that he is putting the lives of lot of people and his own at risk by asking them for a long march.
" even if you put all the wealth of the world together, Tahirul Qadri’s shoe cannot be bought,” The man sure has got expensive tastes
@arif: Does the true path involve running off to Canada and swearing allegiance to the Queen in order to aquire citizenship? Tahirul Qadri was a failed politician in Pakistan who worked with Benazir and the Musharraf dictatorship. Why does he feel the need to run back and blackmail democracy after being away for a few years? Imagine if he told the Canadian army to ignore the elected government? They would throw him in jail. All Tahirul Qadri wants is to create trouble and play up to his ego as a big shot. Hopefully people of Pakistan will make sure he remains a failure.
The drama is unfolding.....another character comes in ( malik riaz )... I love it... Oh sorry the whole nation does....and the final chapter will be written on 14th.... we have a best seller being written .... oh rather we write it every week or so.... we are all its characters.... all individuals of Pakistan... the fun never stops here.... there has to be some "news" all the time..........................
@ET: Please correct the spelling mistake in the photo caption, "This photo released by the Minhajul Quran shoes Tahirul Qadri in a meeting with PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and deputy prime minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi on Friday. PHOTO: COURTESY MQI/FILE." "shows" not "shoes", if I am right.
Smart operator. He saw the trap being set and dismantled it.
Qadri, If you also include the cries and tears of Shias and Hazaras in your protest, I'm all with you.
How date TuQ! Does he not know that Malik Riaz is a nation builder who is beloved by the upper class for getting rid of the poor peasants and farmers and offering a paradise of a gated community! For shame!
Tahir ul Qadri is on the true Hussaini path. What a man!