Qadri rejects FIR registered in Model Town incident

Qadri demands that sections of Anti-Terrorism Act and PM Nawaz's name to be included in FIR

ISLAMABAD: Addressing his supporters in what he called a ‘decisive’ rally on Thursday, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri refused to accept the FIR registered into the Model Town incident until it included the Anti-Terrorism Act and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s name.

“We will not accept the FIR until it is registered as per our application,” he added.

Further, Qadri again announced his charter of demands that included the registration of an FIR, resignation of Prime Minister and Chief Minister Punjab, dissolution of assemblies, formation of a national government, introduction of reforms, accountability of corrupt politicians and holding of free and fair elections.

Asking his workers to remain steadfast as they were about to reach their destination, he asked them wait until his next announcement for which he did not give any time frame.

Earlier, Qadri had announced August 28 as the last day of their sit-in. However, he offered no clues in his speech on what will the do after their sit-in ends.

At the beginning of his speech, the PAT chief had rejected that an FIR had been registered in the case. However, as the chief paused for prayers, PAT leader Raheeq Abbasi appeared on the stage with copy of the FIR sent for perusal of Qadri. The PAT chief read it once and pointed out that it was not in accordance with their demands.

Qadri then highlighted social ills in the society and said PAT had come to streets against those evils and for a revolution and end to discrimination, injustice, inequality, lawlessness, nepotism and corruption.

“This Constitution Avenue, which would later be renamed as Iniqlab avenue, had never witnessed such gathering in 67 years of country’s history,” he added.

Terming PAT and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers “first cousins”, Qadri urged “fight together and die together and no one be able to stop you.”

Qadri, who was carrying a copy of the Constitution, then focused on those provisions which guarantee fundamental rights of the citizen and obligations of the state. After elaborating every single provision dealing with the rights, Qadri said “state is responsible for well being of the people without any discrimination but it has not happened at all.”

“The Constitution is a cheque signed by founder of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and after 67 years we have come here to get it cashed,” Qadri said and added, “this cheque signed by the Quaid has been dishonored as they rulers said they did not have money for the people but had money to be spent on themselves and their children.”

The PAT chief also shared details of his meetings with the government negotiation teams particularly the last one in which several federal ministers and two provincial governors had participated. “The talks ended after ministers said they did not have mandate to take decisions,” he announced.