Qadri won’t challenge SC ruling, awaits popular verdict
‘Inqelab March’ to begin in Gujranwala today.
MQI chief Dr Tahirul Qadri. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE:
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.
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.