Plane was diverted to ensure Qadri's safety: Pervaiz Rashid

Rashid says Qadri was advised and requested to fly via helicopter for his safety.

ISLAMABAD: Explaining the diversion of Dr Tahirul Qadri’s plane from Islamabad to Lahore on Monday morning, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid explained that the move was taken to ensure Dr Qadri’s own safety. 

Talking to the media in Islamabad, Rashid said that "the government wanted to ensure safe transfer of Dr Qadri to his home and that was why he was advised and requested to fly via helicopter”.

He further added that PAT workers had played a part in the deteriorating security situation in the twin cities, with the fear that militants could enter their rallies.

Rashid also expressed concern that people from the former president Pervez Musharraf’s cabinet were seen around the PAT chief which raised doubts that he was coming to give political life to Musharraf’s allies.

Furthermore, the minister claimed that Dr Qadri hijacked an international plane and this was not for the first time he was creating such a situation in the country.

He said that Dr Qadri’s agenda was not only to block the way to progress and prosperity but also to derail government's efforts to overcome the energy crisis. Furthermore, Rashid said the government had demonstrated immense patience and tolerance during the entire situation.

Rashid advised that Dr Qadri not divert the focus of army towards politics at a time when an operation was underway in North Waziristan. In the current scenario terrorists could take advantage of the situation as they have already threatened reactions to the military operation, he claimed.