File photo of leader of Minhaj-ul-Quran International Tahirul Qadri addressing his supporters from behind the window of an armoured vehicle on the second day of protests in Islamabad January 15, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS
The demands were to announce electoral reforms before elections, to dissolve the election commission and form a new one, to not allow muk muka of two parties in caretaker setup and to dissolve the provincial and national assemblies.
Govt delegation offers help to MQI
A three-member government delegation decided to meet MQI to provide food, shelter and blankets for the women and children participating in the long march, reported Express News.
The MQI administration, however, refused to accept the government’s offer and said that their march was well-organised.
No conspiracies
Qadri, in his early morning address, denounced all allegations of a conspiracy in yesterday’s unexpected turn of events and criticised those who were suspecting the Supreme Court’s intentions.
He was referring to allegations that propped up after the Supreme Court ordered Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf’s arrest moments after Qadri’s address.
In contrast to yesterday’s fiery address, the leader was much calmer today.
With reference to the incident, Qadri said: “They say I knew [about the SC’s decision]. Honestly, I did not even know that the [rental power plants case] hearing was taking place.”
He criticised all those who were saying the incident was too much of a coincidence and was actually a well-planned conspiracy and told them to have shame before suspecting the judiciary’s intent.
On democracy and elections
“I do not want to derail democracy,” said Qadri. “I just want to bring it on the right track.”
“Who says we want to delay elections? I want them to take place within 90 days, but with corrections according to the constitution,” he said.
Qadri claimed the required reforms would take a mere 30 days.
“You need political will, sincerity of cause, ability, courage, vision, commitment to the constitution and law of the land and loyalty to the true principles of democracy to enable the reforms,” he added.
Protesters rally on
Protesters rallied for a third day in the largest political demonstration seen for years in the capital, calling on the government to quit after the Supreme Court ordered the arrest of the prime minister.
Tens of thousands of followers of Pakistani-Canadian Tahir-ul Qadri massed near parliament house, where they were dug in for the long haul with stocks of food and bedding.
A general election is due to be held by mid-May, but Qadri wants parliament dissolved immediately and a caretaker government set up in consultation with the military and the judiciary, to implement key reforms before the polls are held.
[WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM AFP AND WEB DESK]
COMMENTS (45)
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This is for ET. Please write down Canadian -Pakistani instead of Pakistani- Canadian before his name. When you get married second time, then second wife name supersede the first one. Personally I would write as following. Canadian Mr Qadri or Toronto returned mullah turned politician Mr Qadri. Last one will explain it all .
@Sterry: Thanks for setting the record straight regarding mr Qadri. I think he is an opportunistic person. He should be deported from Pakistan after getting all the security expenses from him. If he does not pay state should confiscate his assets in Pakistan.
@Karim: Yes, he is a foreigner because when he took Canadian nationality, he took the oath to defend Canada. He could be agent till he tells us who is funding his movement? Nothing is free in this world.
@pakistani: My answer is following. First we should keep the religion and politics separate. I could trust him as a religious leader but not as a politician unless certain standard are met. This is for all the politician of Pakistan.
He has been in Canada for eight years. He should release his tax returns for eight hrs and also the list of assets under his name both in Canada and Pakistan. If he loved and cared for Pakistan so much why he took Canadian nationality. He has been living in Canada for eight yrs, why he suddenly decided to go to Pakistan? Whois funding his movement?
@pakistani: How can you possibly believe anything that Tahirul Qadri says when he has no moral authority to comment on corruption or lying. Do you know white people in Canada are upset that he told people in Pak that he had to become a Canadian citizen to get health care on the advice of his doctors and not because he loved his new country of citizenship? They call him an abuser of Canadian values. Tahirul Qadri worked with Musharraf the dictator after working earlier with the Benazr government. This was pre funky hat and clothing times. Then he runs off to Canada and swears allegiance to the Queen in order to become a Canadian citizen meaning he also promised to respect the laws and constitution of the land. He then flies back to Pakistan to cause trouble a few weeks before the elections because he is against bad governance? Why he show character and participate in the process instead of being a spoiler and destablizing things? Shame on him!
Another thing I forget to mention that now all corrupt people have joined hands together against qadri. What does this mean ? Are they united because Qadri is going illegal and unconstitutional NO way they are all same and waiting for their numbers to loot this country.
Don't understand the mentality of our people, first they blame ruling Govt. for corruption and illegal activities and when a person stands in front of them, they call him a foreigner and agent. People here are confuse in themselves and don't really know what they want. Everyone knows that If election will held in next few years we are going to watch same faces again and will have to face another 5 years of corruption, which means dollar up for 90 to 150 and 200 and name of Oil and CNG will become a history.
please read the book that how previous govt taken pakistani people money
Capitalism's Achilles heel : dirty money and how to renew the free-market system
For those of u supporting quadri. I have one simple question. Elections are round the corner. If he wants to change. Then denounce his Canadian citizenship and take part in the elections. Also why did he contest the elections in the past if he didn't believe in it. I feel sorry for the people for getting fooled by all this. I am neither a supporter of PPP and PMLN. But this is definitely fishy.
@Enlightened: I agree with you. I also want him to release his last eight yrs tax return. He should also tell us about his and family member assets in Canada and Pakistan. Seeing is believing. I can not trust him blindly because he is now Toronto returned Mullah turned politician. In general I do not trust any politician unless proven other wise by their tax returns and assets.
ET: Please post this comment. The setting up of a neutral and competent caretaker government is not only a Constitutional but also very importantly a democratic imperative. To assure continuation of democracy, at least, the Government should speedily nominate a caretaker. Announcing a plan of transition at this time would help bring about normality.
Thank you, Qadri, for giving us a hope.Thank you!
Pakistan has too many leaders. But not one good leader. That is because Pakistan is not one society, but too many different societies. As a people we do not have allegiance to Pakistan, we have allegiance to religion, to a certain sect, to a certain, sardar, choudary, to a certain province, etc, our allegiances are too diverse, to be called national. Therefore Pakistan can never have anything that resembles any national agenda. There are quasi political leaders, quasi religious leaders, quasi ethnic leaders, quasi provincial leaders, endless list of people who wish to be called leaders, and expect to be treated as such. Pakistan comes last in the list of allegiances that people have in this country. Ask anyone who he or she is, and the answer is probably, I am a muslim, I am a Pathan, I am Baloch, etc. etc. National passions only come on the surface when there are tiffs with India, America, etc.
never in history such thorough speech has been made on rights of people . i applaud Qadri Sb for it . I am not his supporter but what he said is correct .
Imran/PTI please join Tahir - ul - Qadri ------ Don't delay this, otherwise it might be too late
@Sonya: Khomeini, really???? You don't know what you wish for!
@Sonya: ............Sonya, please make an urgent appointment with a psyciatrist if you really believe what you wrote.
To all of above comments or most of which are against Tahir Qadri, exactly same kind of people are the cause of current situation in Pakistan, they just want to do or say something different and to achieve it these people can even fight to make believe that a naked person is not naked. These people never live happily neither they allow others to be happy. Freaks !!! It is the time to see the cause not the character. Even to arrest a leader of thieves, small thieves help out. This has also happened in the history. Alas, same kind of people making the society stagnant !!!
Who is Tahir ul Qadri to set un-realistic timelines for his un-constitutional demands. He should be sent to Canada.
Illogical demands by illogical person. All demands are un-constitutional. He should be arrested who wants to derail democracy and constitution.
To all those who are against Tahir ul Qadri - he is hope for you all depressed and oppressed people. He is a Khomeini of Pakistan.
@Zoha Ali: you trust zardari huh?
Where were you qadari when the people were suffering for the last five years from PPP government. Since their government is almost finished , you suddenly appear from nowhere and start bashing against the government. A hypocrite person.
His demands are pure but i am still unable to understand and belief that he is pure or not!!
It is not the personna of Dr. Qadri which counts, What he actually is saying does.
I second you Pervaiz Memon
I agree with TUQs message as well but I am very suspicious of his timing and who his real backers are?
Why is Tahir ul Qadri showing up now? when we are so close to having a elections and getting a new civilian govt.
If he is so angry at the govt incompetence and corruption he should have returned a couple of years ago during the floods that lasted for months and affected almost half the country with no one in govt showing any interest in helping the ppl but every political party from PPP and PML (N) downwards where making plans on how they would steal the donor money
Drama directed by some international sponsors and Tahir ul Qadri is the lead actor.
Every Passing time is making me believe that Qadri is part of a greater plan to give PPP victim card. :)
I feel sorry for IK and Nawaz :)
I agree with the message of Dr Qadri. The present system is rotten and is destroying the country
will he speak something against dictators who break the rules, and create their own judiciaries and laws for their own safeties???
Who is Tahirul Quadry is not a contaversy, his cause is to eliminate Pakistan form the clutches of currupt govenrment, We welcome the supreme court verdict agianst the most currupt person of Pakistan.
What will be result of this march and no mater which side we stand but after this episode we would feel shame as nation this is my prediction .
Dr Qadri has spent too much time at abroad has forgotten that conspiracy theories is integral part of the state and people of Pakistan. Conspiracy theories against outside accusations are always false but inside are generally true.
We do not trust Tahir ul Qadri. He is a very controversial person. Supreme Court immediately take notice against him. He wants to do extra-constitutional acts.
We do not trust Tahir ul Qadri. He is a very controversial person. All his demands are un-constitutional. Supreme Court should take notice against him.
We want Imran Khan to join Dr. Qadri and Dr. Qadri to NOT collaborate with MQM and any other party that is in Govt.
Tahir ul Qadri, please please go back to Canada. Pakistan do not need a person like you.
Democracy in Pakistan is an absolute farce which is the simple reason why I support dr.qadri. Funny how some Pakistanis think otherwise lol.
Irrespective of Qadri's character and background, I second what he is saying.