"This person has come to literally derail the system and nothing else," says Hina Rabbani Khar. PHOTO: AFP
In a ‘Question and Answer’ session after her speech at the Asia Society in New York, Foreign Minister Khar said that Qadri was a dual national which bars him from contesting provincial or national assembly elections.
“This person, who has come to literally derail the system and nothing else, happens to be someone who constitutionally cannot contest a single provincial or national assembly seat,” Khar said.
“This is a person who parachutes in from elsewhere and starts making demands of a government. He wants a role of the military and judiciary in the politics of Pakistan, it’s preposterous. He could be arrested for it, to be quite honest,” she added.
Commenting on Qadri’s ongoing long march in Islamabad, Khar said that the participants of the rally were around 30,000 in number by all accounts. Qadri’s organisation MQI is well-organised which makes it easier for him to gather this number of people, she maintained.
The foreign minister accepted that there are governance issues in Pakistan but said that the timing of Qadri’s long march was not appropriate. If Qadri had come two and a half years ago to criticise the government and warn the people, it would have been understandable, she said.
“When we are two months away from the first democratic transition in Pakistan’s history in 60 years, this person arrives from a faraway land, and demands that the parliament be dissolved.”
COMMENTS (28)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Miss Khar should represent the country and not her political party in a foreign country. It matters ver little who Mr Qadri is; he appears to be articulating what the majority of the popuation feels about this affair of the country. Should the people be subjected to arrest of PM's and the legislators clowns keep sending cloned replacements? This must stop and can only be done by desolution of the parliament Miss Khar could tell the world, for how long the dead bodies will continue to brought to the streets, before the Govt. minister of interior, also a two passports holder, will leave his office?
Rex Minor
Haha haha. Says the party that struggled against the SC for disqualifying dual citizens from parliament. Now they are criticising someone for being dual citizen who is not contesting elections?
@DevilHunterX: YUP!
Is Bilawal Zardari a dual national?
But can you deny that setting up an interim caretaker government is the imperative of times? At least, make an announcement of the nominee. Announce elections for July 2013, handover goverment to the interim set up in March 2013. Assess and appreciate what is being demanded without reference to who is demanding it.
Her statement about holding NA and MPA election is very clear ,he cannot hold these seat. Cannot be a law maker . He can be advisor , any thing else. I don't seem any wrong with statement.. Goverment should follow the money trail ,from where Qadri is getting his fund. As far people , you make monkey in charge of long match with change slogan ,same people start following and dancing under the great leadership of monkey .
Wah Ms Khar Wah! Dual Nationals = Not good. You know how many Pakistanis you are targeting by saying this. Well majority of them you will find in your own party and family by the way!
Stop being biased and imprudent and talk about policies he wants to implement. If you cant deny what he is saying then stop assassinating characters and show the civilized part of your characters if there is any left. And you claim to be master in comprehending english; this is PREPOSTEROUS when you claim that he wants to include judiciary! He never said to include them but take them in confidence!
It's better to speak for the nation not for the party (Thekedar of Feudalism) Ms. Khar! Who cares if Qadri is dual national as long as he is making these people shudder in their own backyards. Being a Pakistani I am with anyone who can get rid of these corrupt crop of politicians.
She should pay attention to foreign affairs - which has run amok. Stop poking your nose in something which is not a part of your fiduciary duty.
I like her. At such a young age,its not a joke taking so much responsibility on her tender shoulders. She needs support and not 'advice'.
by the way when is the Chief Justice going to take Suo Moto Action on her notorious cousin Bilal Khar, for the acid throwing case
going by same logic as HRK give, s then she is a fuedal means no good.
Are you any good? Running Pakistan's foreign minister y with a tourism degree?
She shoudl speak like foreign minsiter...what about Rehman malik and other PPP people...come on now find some new party ...PPP ship is sinking
The question is, then WHO means good?
Right now it is PM who has to be arrested as per the orders of SC , u might find yourself as the PM shortly
PPP has more dual nationals then any other party,khar you are well respected minister so you not make that kind of stupid statements.
Hahaha, so you agree and by this account the PPP also agrees that dual nationals cannot contest elections. Kick out the current lot of dual nationals right away, who hold public offices in provincial and national assemblies and we will know that you are a true constitutionalist and want democracy to flourish. Currently your words are mere rhetoric for the overseas audience and reek hollowness for our national audience.
lovely smile
WOW, what about rehman malik and many of your mna's who r dual national... Its because of politicians like you that lack credibility that we hav ppl like qadri dominating the scenario
ha ha
WOW so you have 10,000 policemen guarding only 30,000 protestors...go get your facts right!
Carrying expensive Gucci bags and what not ... What are her tax returns?
What about Rehman Malik and other party members of PML-N and PPP
And you and your leadership do not pay taxes. Your leadership is involved in corruption worth billions. But of course these are within constitutional norms and therefore we cannot be arrested
Nobody in this land of pure can be arrested for inviting army and SC to indulge in politics. Qadri is already getting a boost from the SC decision right on time. The collusion between Qadri and PCO judges is obvious. Qadri wants role for army and SC in the next elections and neutral govt formation which would last much more than the constitution mandates. However, committing acts of high treason and abrogation of constitution for army and SC is not a crime never have been and never would.
Dual National. Now you guys are saying it DUAL NATIONAL and few months ago you were the person who passed this Dual Nationality matter in Parliament. You guys are pathetic !!