Muhammad Tahirul Qadri, who has a history of ties with the military, reached a deal with the ruling coalition on Thursday that will give his party some say over the formation of a caretaker government ahead of elections this spring. Qadri's party may also participate in the elections.
The cleric's reappearance on the political stage a few weeks ago after years of living in Canada, and his calls for the military to play a role in forming an interim administration, has raised speculation he may be backed by the country's powerful army.
Qadri and the military deny this.
The cleric, who lead four days of street protests in the heart of the capital aimed at forcing the government to resign, will keep pushing for political reforms and a halt to corruption, said his spokesman.
"We will ensure implementation of the agreement with full letter and spirit," Qazi Faizul Islam, secretary of information for Qadri's charity, told Reuters.
"If the government tries to deviate, we will force them to follow through the power of the people and media."
Aside from giving Qadri a voice in who leads the caretaker administration, the government also agreed to dissolve parliament before a scheduled date of March 16, although it did not specify a date.
It also said elections would be held within 90 days of the dissolution and electoral reforms would continue to be discussed.
An announcement of an election date could come during a parliament session on Monday.
Political aspirations?
"After signing the agreement for electoral reforms, we are part of the electoral process. We might take part in elections," said Islam, adding however that Qadri did not have ambitions to become prime minister.
But the focus for the moment seems to be on the interim administration that will be formed after the dissolution of parliament and will oversee the elections.
A new political crisis could erupt if Qadri tries to promote candidates for caretaker prime minister seen to be sympathetic to the military, which has ruled the country for more than half of its history as an independent nation.
Qadri supported a 1999 military coup, and praised the military during speeches this week, appealing to thousands of supporters and members of the middle and lower class who have grown tired of dynastic politics.
Any disagreements between Qadri and the government on electoral reforms could also bring fresh turmoil, distracting the state from a host of challenges.
"Chances are low that the government will demonstrate progress on other Qadri demands (like reforms) before elections are held, increasing the likelihood that this timetable will fail and a caretaker government could stay on indefinitely," said Shamila Chaudhry, South Asia specialist at the Eurasia Group.
Qadri's call for a campaign to root out corruption could also create obstacles and delays.
"Corruption is rampant among all political actors, not just the current government," said Chaudhry.
"So true implementation of the declaration will require a complete overhaul of political behavior in Pakistan – a virtually impossible task before elections if they are to occur by June."
The government got some relief on Thursday when the chief of the state's anti-corruption agency rejected a Supreme Court order to arrest Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf.
Ashraf is alleged to have been involved in kickbacks in transactions involving power plant rentals when he was power minister - allegations that he denies.
The case was adjourned until January 23, judges said.
COMMENTS (21)
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The man from Canada not only wished the constitution trampled but also appeared to have taken control of Islamabad, the moment he landed in the capital. This was such ominous and dreadful a time when he pronounced the demise of parliament and the government of the day. And not only this, he tried to virtually takeover Islamabad by ordering his workers to take the responsibility of protection of the city into their own hands. This made the people shudder. Thankfully, realising his strength the other day, TQ didn’t re-emphasise this obsession of his, and an overall chaos was narrowly averted.
@Zulfiqar Baig: In his first speech he said " when you keep international terrorists on your soil and protect them, Drones will come "
All the critics. our problem as a nation is that we do not bother for or may be do not understand the fundamentals These run of the mill politicians have always painted rosy pictures on the surface of the core problems and when the thin surface erodes the core problems stare into our faces like a monster. We must take care of the fundamentals or should i say the foundations of the state. We must also understand that democracy is not an end in itself, it is rather a tool or vehicle that takes us towards the end ( progress). my experience in pakistan is otherwise. Dont forget that those who got together in Raiwand during the sit in and announced that they will not tolerate democracy to be derailed have practically derailed democracy in the past being in government. Dont forget the PML,s ransacking the supreme court,that was General Waheed,s decency not to take over. PNA in 1977 joined hands against Bhutto and came in Zia ul haq. Imran Khan practically participated in Musharraf,s referendum. Is Nawaz sharif not responsible for taking the unwise and dictatorial step of removing a COAS and demolishing his own government. We must not vote for an individual but for changing the system no matter whichever the party is (THE PARTY HEAD IS NOT ENOUGH, OTHERS WHO ARE SUB LEADERS MUST ALSO BE SEEN AND THEIR PAST TOO.
Anyone who critizing the Long march which called for gettting rid of corrupt people in government. God have mercy on you all because the MNA's wont, 10 years from now you all will still be crying for gas and electricity shortages.
Participating in Elections was the main agenda for this protest. Now Mr. Tahir Ul Qadri will eat goat (Bakara), which is Pakistan, with all other corrupt Politicians. Mr. Tahir Ul Qadri did not mention anything about drone attacks.
Mubarak ho mubarak ho.
@stranger: Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH)
TUQ is joke of a scholar.he should be ashamed of himself by soaking women with their infants in rain for his personal agenda.all these kinds of greedy Mullahs hiding and misusing Islam by exploiting ppl's religious believes should be brought down. burnt & stoned to death. today islam hit a new low due to these circus runners.
@stranger It means Peace Be Upon Him.
@stranger: Peace Be Upon Him
@stranger: It means Peace Be Upon Him.
this was so obvious, after spending millions of rupees for this long march he got days of free media coverage in return! he made a very calculated investment & will surely participate in coming elections with PPP as its ally. well played TuQ, common man was betrayed yet again.
Dr. Tahir-ul-Qardi political party must participate in the forthcoming elections in Pakistan. At least his political workers are neither fanatics, nor target killers.
People have seen during the long march in Islamabad that how every participant has maintained dicipline during the entire period of sit-in (Dharna).
I am sure that he will not show his face again in any public meeitng in PAK
This is turning into a farce.
they can form an alliance with PTI and crash and burn together.
MQI will take part with Canadian Welfare money ???
Zardari politics has failed the revolution; cleric bought