![leader of minhaj ul quran international tahirul qadri addresses his supporters from behind the window of an armoured vehicle on the second day of protests in islamabad january 15 2013 photo reuters leader of minhaj ul quran international tahirul qadri addresses his supporters from behind the window of an armoured vehicle on the second day of protests in islamabad january 15 2013 photo reuters](https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/494193-Qadrireuters-1358243806/494193-Qadrireuters-1358243806.jpg)
Addressing the gathering from behind the window of a bullet-proof vehicle, Qadri said, “Had the participants of this long march barged into the parliament, the assemblies, no force would be able to prevent it.”
“However, we don’t believe in undemocratic means. Neither I am emotionally-driven, nor are the participants. This is not an emotional outpour,” said the MQI chief.
He said, “Had I directed them [participants] so, they would have conquered the assemblies within an hour.”
Terming it a “revolutionary protest against the fake mandate of the government,” Qadri said that the march was “totally peaceful, absolutely democratic, completely constitutional and strictly lawful.”
He said that he had prepared a seven-point agenda of “electoral democracy and electoral reforms,” which, he said, he will announce by the end of his speech. Qadri said that the last point in the agenda was the dissolution of assemblies.
The MQI chief said that he and his supporters had taken to the streets to stop those “who stir anarchy in the country.”
'Peace at home and abroad'
Qadri said that Pakistan was considered as a terrorist nation and placed the blame on the government for “bringing the country to this state.”
He said that the people of Pakistan wanted peace to prevail in Pakistan and that they wanted to propagate the message of peace across the world.
“We don’t want to give refuge to terrorists here,” said Qadri. “We don’t want people with their backs tattooed with ‘devilish symbols’.”
He said “if the clothes of a few ministers are taken off, who is to say, they might also have such tattoos on their backs.”
The MQI chief said that the people wanted the same peace in the country which existed during Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) period.
‘The only right people of Pakistan have is the right to die’
Addressing “the rest of the world”, Qadri said that the people of Pakistan “have no food, their clothes are torn and their homes are broken. Millions of people of Pakistan are destitute without jobs; they have no money, while there is no income support programme in place.”
Hence, he said, that the “only right the people of Pakistan are left with is the right to die, the right to commit suicide.”
“People in Pakistan are living a life of anguish, misery and total desperation,” said MQI chief.” “Terrorism and target killing have become rampant. There is no protection of lives and liberty … no real freedom for the 99% of the poor people of Pakistan.”
‘Judiciary passes orders, government doesn’t implement them’
Qadri said that although the judiciary passed orders, the government does not execute them. “Rights of Pakistanis are infringed upon. Judgments are passed by the judiciary, but the government does not accept it. They rather criticise and challenge these orders politically.”
Qadri asked the participants to carry on their protest in Islamabad. He said, "I want to ask you to stay until tomorrow. I'm going to stay."
The crowded shouted back "yes".
"I will speak to you again tomorrow. Hopefully after tomorrow there will be no need to stay any longer," he added.
Earlier, the police force took position around D-Chowk, while eight armed personnel carriers were deployed at the site.
A meeting of the district administration was underway with security agencies to deliberate on dispersing the crowd. At least 22,000 police personnel and a large contingent of Rangers are already present on D-Chowk, where Qadri’s supporters are staging a sit-in.
Qadri, who is still inside a bullet-proof container, has not yet addressed the followers, who braved a chilly night to support him. He has decided to address them from inside the container.
Earlier, security forces fired in the air and used tear gas to try and control protests.
The MQI blamed Interior Minister Rehman Malik for directing the security forces to resort to aerial firing and said that if an action is not taken against Malik, then the angered crowd might do something.
"We will not accept Qadri's pressure because his demands are unconstitutional," Malik told local television channels shortly after security forces fired in the air and used tear gas to try and control protesters.
Live television coverage showed forces firing in the air – a serious escalation in attempts to control crowds – while supporters of Qadri hurled stones at them.
Qadri's spokesman told Reuters the crowds had prevented government forces from arresting Qadri. He said six supporters were wounded.
COMMENTS (65)
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@Zain: open your eyes. This was a superb example of a peaceful protest. Local sellers have been selling their products with no fear or threat from the crowd.
@Tauqeer: Foreign nationals as your ministers.....busy filling their foreign accounts....is that acceptable? Stop supporting figures and families. Spread the truth and support the truth. The world has seen a new face of pakistan and pakistanis. It was such a beautiful protest inspite all the negative propaganda, public still supported the cause...Thumbs up!
@WatanDost Agreed!
First they tried an American- Mansoor Ijaz of Memogate.
Now they are trying a Canadian.
Desperate people will do anything.
Peolpe calling him a Canadian citizen, who cannot guide them to better future, they have to know first he is a Pakistani then he is a Canadian... People insulting him to return to Canada are just like Rehman Malik...
So let's have a look on IK (Imran Khan) who prefers a British woman over a Pakistani one and prefer that his sons live abroad just like Tahir ul Qadri did with his sons... So, where is difference???
What have people of Pakistan done alonely? Nothing Who paid majorly the families of the disaster of 2005? Answer: Pakistanis who lives abroad... Because we care of them not like you Pakistanis living there just for your own... You don't care of what is happening in Karachi... My mum cries always when there are bad news and i don't think you do so... What about 2010 salab? How much did you give away to the affected families? I gave 10,000 € gaining loan from my bank because i think they need the money much than me...So reflect with your own brain and not from the articles written by anyone...
I dont not care about his nationality. Please leave my city and go back to your villages and stop defecating in the streets of this city, Mulla leaded mob!!!!!!!!
you know what is the problem with you all, you all just sit in your homes with your laptops, blog about change but dont have enough guts to go out, you all shall lick forgeiners to go out of pakistan, and from there abuse pakistanis... you all are wana bee whom you can never be... always criticising never enough guts to come forward.
if someone is coming forward let him , you people cant even gather half of what he gathered even if you all DIE TRYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tahir ul Qadri zinda bad, Quiad e Azam Zinda Bad
SHia or sunni ...i love you all!!! Ya Ali!!
a person came from canida and says that he came to change the politics of pakistan,, how can you belive on that person,, there is a great differance between his speech and deeds,, a forign person can never change the cicumstences of pakistan,, he came only to divide pakistanies in to sheas suni balochi sindi pakhton and panjabi,, america send him,, dont belive on him.... SAVE PAKISTAN
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: " We talk against the Military coup in Pakistan but the politicians and few selfish anchor persons support the so called democratic dictators who ruled the poor people of Pakistan and now their children wants to rule the children of the poor people. Is this called democracy? or dictatorship in the firm of democracy."
A new term democratic dictatorship can be coined in Pakistan only.. This democracy provides you the opportunity to change the persons you want them to govern No other system provides you this luxury . Why blame the system . Blame the persons voting them to power. or blame yourselves for not spreading awareness among the people as to who is good and who is bad. Does it not the responsibility of those who are crying for positive change. If they fail in their duty and the people fail to use their wisdom and choose corrupt people ( may be for short term gains) then they deserve to be governed by the rotten people and deserve no right to cry. at a later date.
Never heard Qadri saying the statement ET has posted. Please do not hide facts.
Pakistan should abolish the british parliamentary system and adopt French Presidential system where president will be elected through popular vote and vote of every individual will matter, and people will know right at the time of election about who is going to be their next president. This british parliament system is a heaven for jageerdar wadera type people who are abusing it and only because of this british system we are having corrupt people like Gilani and Rental getting at the post of prime minister, in a presidential system this can never happen because presidential candidates will be voted by general public and not by jageerdar waderas MNAs like in current british system that pakistan has at the moment.
What if Hakeem Ullah Mehsod marches toward Islamabad along with 50000 followers n asks for "reforms" in constitution ??
You don't have to agree with TUQ's position on the elections, but I don't get why there's so much noise among 'liberals' on the fact that he has a Canadian passport - same goes for Altaf Hussain. It's not like the politicians born on this soil - most of our ruling class - are doing any better or have any more of an attachment to this country. You should be thankful for the fact that wealthy overseas Pakistanis are investing money, time and resources here when it's much more convenient for them to watch this hellhole of a nation burn to its slow, inevitable death.
“WE WANT TRUE DEMOCRACY”
But, what is this “True Democracy”?
We already have TRUE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC with a “TRUE ISLAMIC CONSTITUTION”
The result is the Ahmadis have been ousted from Islam Sunnis are killing Shias. The minorities do not have the same civil rights as Muslim minority. Blasphemy ACT is used and abused against.
The Democracy is a system of government where people governs itself. A government (of, for, by) the people.
In any religious state the Divine (religion) is the sovereign and the people is not free to decide for itself.
An election or any referendum is a democratic choice which does not necessarily leads to a Democratic system of government.
We started with Governor General's Democracy and then had President's Democracy, Basic Democracy, Corrupt Democracy, Dictator's Democracy, Megalomaniac Democracy, Enlightened Democracy, and presently Islamic Democracy.
So, what is the True Democracy of Dr Tahirul Qadri??
And he only lived in Canada for five years after migration, but that does not mean he cannot stand for his country!
These are all ordinary ppl of Pakistan who work on daily wages to feed their families. Getting ends meet for them in todays condition is difficult for them & for every one. Survival at the moment for an ordinary man has become too difficult. Forget that he is a Canadian citizen, moreover he is a pakistani. I don't support his thinking. But guess what, people were waiting for a person like him to come & he kept his words of the march (Not a million march) He must have fumbled there. Haven't seen any other party taking the full march so far.
Anyone against the current status quo parties would be supported. Havent you people seen what has happened in Quetta during last weeks. I dont understand our hypocrisy, on one side we ridicule and unanimously accept the administrative failure of this government and then we also blab against people who take a stand against it. What enthralls me is the phenomenon of this long march. Its a march to overthrow and everyones invited. Remember people its a "Mulk Bachao" campaign, I am least concerned for the government or its democratic tenure. Also remember if any other incident happens while this government is in power like Quetta (God Forbid), we all would be complicit in crime of protecting this democracy, fear the Holy Lord, and have some sympathy who were sitting in cold in Quetta and are in Islamabad. Go Qadri Go!
The consequences of Tahir ul qadar’s long march This country is not in a position to bear to disturbance any more. The country’s economy has already being near to devastation due to war on terror so called holly war by Taliban and other way around. The establishment should keep in consideration the current economic situation before a launching a drama or movie that trigger common man emotions and leads to great destruction. In case there is some foreign involvement behind the Qadari march. So in both case the common people will have face the consequences, in case of successful movement, the current government with step down and the country would become a one man show in shape of military leader. The democratic system will be abuse and considered failed as usual. The country will be under the mercy of dictator for a long period and political leaders will have the valid excuse to hide their in competency. As the Bilawal has nothing to say in his 1st speech, because the current corrupt government had done what they are required to do; nothing, in the last four and half years. So Bilawal talk to about his mother murdered case so that to gain people sympathy in upcoming election. The same types of scripts will re-broad cast if the military dictator has take over the government.
The army wants Tahir-ul-Qadri to move forward and start unrest, so that they (the army) can then swoop in and enforce a Marshal Law. They cannot do it so easily now that the nation is emotionally vulnerable and slightly more aware than all previous dictatorial regimes and wouldn't allow a direct takeover of the army.
Once a so called "care taker" government a.k.a Army take over in in place they'll drag elections to as long as possible.
A lot of people are saying if IK was true in his stance he should've joined the march... I ask WHY... Why only days before a caretaker govt was going to be announced should Imran Khan pre-empt a strike and make PPP and PML-N political martyrs.
Just having a "rightful stance" is not enough, there is a time and opportunity for everything... it's called strategy.
Once a caretaker govt is announced and if all parties do not agree, then by all means take to the streets and take matters in your own hand, but why rush it when the supreme court and Imran Khan have spent so long trying to get the voters list in order, cancel bogus voter, enlist fresh and REAL voters, rally fellow Pakistanis to a common cause, lay out detailed policies. In comes Tahir ul Qadri and tries to divide public opinion and tamper with sentiments of people. Now when it will ACTUALLY MATTER to take to the streets, people will say this is all a facade why bother coming out when the outcome is zilch.
For the first time Pakistan has a chance for the smooth transfer of power from one civilian government to another by the people's will exercised through the ballot box. No prizes for guessing whose interests are not served by that.
For the first time Pakistan has a chance for a smooth transition of power from one government to another through the people's will expressed through the ballot box. That would be a huge shot in the arm for establishing a stable democratic polity. Now whose interests does that not serve? No prizes for guessing.
Tahir-ul-Qadri is creating disturbance or not but his demands,stances and standpoints are absolutely and precisely rightful and his demands,stances and standpoints have been the voices of the nation most especially importantly poor and common man whose economy has been destroyed very very badly,by the daily/monthly increasing expensiveness,security crises,political unrest,poverty and electricity and gas load shedding,by the wrongful policies of PPP's government.The present government is going to dissolve in March 2013 and if is dissolved now then what shall happen/go wrong?There is nothing going to change/happen if the present government is dissolved now in January before 60 days which are going to complete in March 2013...
The hand holding the sign "WE WANT TRUE DEMOCRACY" says it all! A new nadir for "strategic Depth." "Yeh ghazi, yeh tere pur asrar bandey....."
Qadri disturb the whole nation with his violating act. Stock indexes are down, offices in the Islamabad are shutdown and Qadri demands are non-sense from a BulletProof Container ,,,this is not voice of nation.. its a voice of Pakistan's Enemies.. come on forces, hunt him down.. Go Go Go
@Jibran: I couldnt have said it better. You hit the nail on the head. I honestly did not think there were people out there who think like that....i too believe that THE ONLY WAY TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE is to start within. We need to rid ourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY!!! WAKE UP and RISE UP!
@Gul Muhammad: What about the government which has looted and pillaged OUR homeland? Thats acceptable - maybe this man may not be able to bring about a change but there is someone trying - be it the right or the wrong way. Ask the government to stop messing up YOUR homeland and no one will take to the streets to do this.
Leading from a container; only in Pakistan!!
@Dawood Suleman: Life is miserable in Islamabad for what 2 days and you are crying - have u seen what is happening to MY CITY KARACHI? Pakistan needs a change be in it any form or through any person
@Analyzer: Fantastic for you to point this. As if it is a prophesy fulfilled now.
After watching all his speeches, it seems very clear what the new demagogue agenda is.
It is enough now. law enforcement agencies should take action now and arrest Tahir ul Qadri. He should be deported from pakistan alongwith his foreign agenda. He wants to violate the constitution. All his demands are unconstitutional.
Qadri cannot bring revolution by just gathering few thousand people in Islamabad. Shame for him who was expecting millions of people in his long march. These are just few thousands. Now he should go back to Canada and leave my country.
Why was this Canadian citizen given a visa to enter Pakistan?
Qadri sahib should be kicked out of Pakistan. He should be dealt with iron hands. He is an agent of our foreign enemies. He talks about unconstitutional acts. Chief Justice should take notice.
ET It's very sad to read a partial view targeted against Army.
Tahir ul qadri seems to be an un-educated person. The way he shouts and abuses others should be condemned. He should be taught the manners of communication.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: a common man who want to see the change in the most corrupt system of Pakistan is standing behind him.
Every Pakistani, including the common man, is responsible for the corruption in the country. From cheating in exams, in the early childhood, glorifying terrorists, and disobeying traffic laws, to financial embezzlement and bribery in offices, and plagiarism even by the professors are just to name a few.
It is a long or short march, Army is behind this or Zardari. US is sponsoring him or establishment.
One thing is sure, It is not going to turn in favours of PAKISTAN.
People blaming him because he is a Canadian national, Bro then tell me 1 thing when there are some financial problem occurs here in Pakistan why our politicians ask help from people living abroad because they are Pakistani's as well. They are ready to help their homeland at any cost. There is a huge contribution from the people living abroad. Another thing just go and check how many of ministers have green CNIC card and how many of them are using White CNIC card then blame other people.
I request Chief Justice Sahib to please take suo moto notice. Tahir ul Qadri is doing unconstitutional demands and wants to derail democracy. He wants to do extra-constitutional acts. Please stop him.
God bless Qadri Saheb, the man stood for Pakistan!
No notice from CJ?
Tahir ul Qadri, please please please go back to Canada. Why are you disturbing my homeland?
what's the harm if canadian national is speaking of reforms, if you can loot the country with pakistan nationality then whats the problem with canadian nationality?? give it a try
I live in Islamabad. Life has been miserable for residents of this city due to very little long march. I suggest that this canadian mulla should be deported from my Pakistan. It is a short march, not a long march.
At least what government of Pakistan should do is to accept a very powerful point of Dr. TUQ, i.e. Election Commission should spend more than a month or more to verify all the required documents and their Tax documents e.t.c of participating candidates.
Just see who will benefit from the indefinite stay for elections Mr. Qadri is asking for. And that will answer all your questions.
"may not pose any immediate threat to the US-backed civilian government."
Did ET just endorse Reuters press release stating that our elected government is being backed/ propped up by the US?
Security forces need to start arresting the looters, fake degree holders and people who got elected on fake votes and are now preaching constitution.
Cut this already! Naive people with absolutely no idea how a country runs! So if Assemblies dissolve and this Canada return Qadri person becomes head of interim Government, than what? Is he capable to make a "new electoral system"? and what will this "new electoral system" like? Revolutions don't come with slogans only!
@Cautious: @Hussain: Pakistani army is definitely responsible for this show like it has always been. They are the real culprit
Pakistan needs more and more mullahs. If we do not have enough then import some more. If they have been the tools of army dictators that is an added qualification. An empty pot makes more noise. There have been huge processions in the history of Pakistan attended by many many more people but those elected leaders never boasted them as million man march. When would Qadri and his supporters become honest and stop calling this million man?
Any force that threatens the stranglehold of PPP and PML (N) is declared establishment assets. i.e. Imran Khan, and now TUQ.
Dont really care about TUQ's background and hidden agenda, but his demand is just and voice of all the people.
there is no doubt our media is anti mulla, but in case of Tahir Ul Qadri, media seems pro mulla
An article predicting this was written around two years ago. Check it out:
Awaiting the demagogue http://dawn.com/2011/02/25/awaiting-the-demagogue/
Qadri is the political heir and an ally of Gen Mush's regime. The commando ran away and sent his agent to create a situation for his return. Qadri is well known in every Muslim country and Muslim scholars for his lies and deceits. Here is a proof that is not contradicted: http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/international/10-Jan-2013/al-azhar-scholars-expose-tahirul-qadri
Stop this habit of blaming Army When Lawyers did long march was establishment behind that? Its democracy baby let TUQ do what he wants to
Whether Qadri is been backed by the establishment or not, but a common man who want to see the change in the most corrupt system of Pakistan is standing behind him.
People and political parties shoul support the revolution call od ADR. Tahir-ul-Qadri so that they should be able to break the shackles other children.
I am sorry to mention here that there are few anchor persons who are denouncing how hat Qadri is doing, but they are the people who takes advantage from the sitting government whether in cash or kind.
These anchor persons do notknowwhat democracy is and I want to tell to these anchor persons, political leaders and political analysts that the democracy means what majority of the people want and not what when few people sit in front of TV cameras and try to change the opinion of the majority of the people.
This is what exactly it was going on after the death of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Few people have snatched the rights of the nation and now they want that children should rule.
We talk against the Military coup in Pakistan but the politicians and few selfish anchor persons support the so called democratic dictators who ruled the poor people of Pakistan and now their children wants to rule the children of the poor people.
Is this called democracy? or dictatorship in the firm of democracy.
For God sake stop calling this a "million mam march " TUQ should be arrested for creating public disorder, enough of negotiation, its time to stand up. This is the Canadian way !
"army would be happy to see figures like Qadri highlight the government’s flaws, and perhaps play a behind-the-scenes role supporting him, analysts say. The military denies backing Qadri." The army had always denied having OBL in Pakistan. Their denial means it is correct.
a canadian nationalist asking for reform on pakistan soil? what a joke. shouldn't we ask canada to take its citizen from our country?