PTI’s central information secretary Shafqat Mehmood saluted MQI supporters for exercising patience and discipline during the three-day protest. PHOTO: EXPRESS/ FILE
A senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leader said on Friday that though the dedication of the long march participants’ was unquestionable the declaration signed by Dr Tahirul Qadri on Thursday fell well short of the targets set by the Minhajul Quran International (MQI) chief.
At the same time, PTI’s central information secretary Shafqat Mehmood saluted MQI supporters for exercising patience and discipline during the three-day protest. However, he said, the outcome of the protest was far from the targets initially set by Dr Qadri.
The PTI information secretary stated that since the declaration had brought no real change for the people, it was “inaccurate” to term it a success. “The long march was not entirely what the nation had hoped for,” he said.
But Mehmood added that his party had “due respect for Dr Qadri” and supported most of his party’s public stances on a host of issues.
He, however, did not deny the impact of the protest. “It was positive that the long march ended peacefully which conveyed a positive image of Pakistan to the world,” adding that dialogues held high importance in Pakistan and issues like these could be brought to the table in the future as well.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 19th, 2013.
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After that television interview on the Indian TV Channel. I want Mr. Musharraf back.
Free and fair elections would now probably be held . What more could the people of Pakistan ask ? .
Shafqat mahmood's comment is a classic case of sour grapes. Professional fence sitters, the least he could do was give credit to TUQ for bringing people out and making them a part of some decision making process
Not interested in PTI .. interested in General Musharraf coming back:-)
PTI will now try ro achieve the complete goal . Naturally this rally competition in Pakistan will open the gate of change . The gate is now guarded by PPP , MQM , police , Para military force , Pak army , Qadry ,Musarraf , and many more ,therefore entry will be filtered one . I hope IK will consider all these facters before planning any rally .
Why can't other parties make such sensible statements?
Thats because none of you supported him. He was fighting for the people all alone.
True. Those inside the container gained everything while those outside gained nothing. Parliament replaced by container, rest everything remains the same.