MQI chief Dr Tahirul Qadri. PHOTO: FILE
A day after his fiery outburst against the Supreme Court’s rejection of his petition to reconstitute the election commission, Dr Tahirul Qadri struck a conciliatory tone on Thursday, declaring before the media that he would not challenge the court’s decision.
However, Qadri signalled that he was waiting for a popular vote from the participants of his ‘Inqelab March’. Their presence in large numbers would show “if the ruling was right”, Qadri told a news conference at the MQI secretariat
Dr Qadri conceded that the apex court’s decision had disappointed him, claiming that the question of his dual nationality was out of context.
He added that the court had spent three days arguing about his dual nationality but did not mention in the judgment that dual nationals were ineligible to file a petition under Article 184(3) of the Constitution.
The top cleric stated that though it was against the international laws to condemn someone before hearing the petitioner’s plea. But in the same breath the MQI chief also said that he did not want to criticise the judgment nor launch a movement against the judiciary.
Dr Qadri informed reporters that under the Article 51(2) he was an eligible voter and he could file a petition under the public interest litigation. He said that Article 63(1)(C) prohibits a dual national to become a member of the assembly.
Regarding his dual nationality the MQI chief maintained that the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951 allows a Pakistani national to hold dual nationality. He added that the government of Pakistan has an agreement with 19 countries, including India, in this regard.
Highlighting the objective of his march, the Minhajul Quran International chief said that his aim was to sensitise people to the situation in the country. He renewed his warning that if the elections were held under the current system the country’s survival would be at stake. Dr Qadri stated that it was time that the people were mobilised to bring about change in the system.
Qadri’s march in Gujranwala—which will be followed by marches from different cities in Punjab in the coming days—will be held today (Friday).
Responding to a question whether his political party Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) would participate in the upcoming elections, he said he would reach a decision after consulting other members of his party.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 15th, 2013.
COMMENTS (3)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1732523125-0/Express-Tribune-(7)1732523125-0-270x192.webp "atc approves physical remand of pti workers arrested during protest in islamabad")
Whatever are the reasons, the basis of the dismissal was not appropriate.
Firstly, it has discriminated against dual citizens, and in the process also set a dangerous precedent. The only thing Pakistan’s constitution denies dual nationals is the right to run for elected office. There is nothing in Pakistani law that says dual nationals, whether or not they contribute to Pakistan’s economy, should not be able to appeal to the judiciary.
Secondly, the court questioned Dr Qadri’s intentions in its verbal remarks, but not in the written order.
Thirdly, the court argued his petition did not concern fundamental rights, even though it has set a fairly flexible bar for several other cases to meet that standard over the last few years.
Good n soft rebuttal attitude even after SC disappointing attitutde
I wonder what will happen to this country when its Supreme Court starts giving its observations and opinions as its rulings :/
Happy from the outcome but disappointed from the proceedings and SC attitude towards a Pakistan-based petitioner