Dr Qadri extends deadline by 24 hours

PAT chief convinced by PTI; denies govt claim he and Imran asked for meeting with army chief.

ISLAMABAD:

Delaying his ultimatum in the hope of reaching an amicable resolution facilitated by army chief General Raheel Sharif, the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) leader on Friday extended his deadline by another 24 hours. Dr Tahirul Qadri also vehemently denied a “government claim that he and Imran Khan had requested for Thursday night’s meetings with the army chief”.

Tahirul Qadri, who had earlier announced Friday as the last day for reaching an agreement with the government, convinced his supporters to wait another day after a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) delegation, led by Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak, appealed to the PAT chief to coordinate his next steps and give interlocutors another day to broker a mutually agreeable solution to the political impasse gripping the country.

“We [PTI and PAT] would only go back after dislodging the government but our enemy wants to divide us and then strike separate deals. Therefore, it is necessary that whatever we do, we do it collectively,” said PAT chief to his emotionally charged supporters.

Talking about his meeting with the army chief, Qadri said “I had made three demands which included the resignations of the Sharif brothers and registration of an FIR to which the army chief didn’t make any commitment. I can assure you the army chief has started efforts for the betterment of this country.”

He said that the army had not made any commitment that PAT’s demands would be implemented in 24 hours. “We tried to establish contact but we were informed that the army chief was busy in meetings. It is possible that he might have been working out a solution,” he added.

After building his argument, he said there were two options before the protestors; either to wait for a positive response from the army or go for whatever they decide as the next step [march towards the Parliament House]. “I don’t want to impose something on you,” he said while asking the marchers to confirm whether they would wait for some more time.

Reinforcing resoluteness amongst his supporters, who have now been camped in the capital for 15 days, Qadri asked whether any of his supporters would go back. “Would you leave me behind?” he enquired, and was met with a thunderous “We will not go anywhere.”

Earlier, PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi also addressed PAT supporters after his meeting with Qadri. “We were well aware of the hardships the PAT supporters have gone through since June 17 Model Town incident,” he said, adding that everyone had seen how non-violent and peaceful PAT supporters had been throughout their legitimate struggle. “We know that Dr Qadri had announced today’s deadline and we have come to you, being aware of your feelings, with the request that you wait for some more time,” said Qureshi.

Qureshi spoke eloquently about his party and PAT’s ultimate objectives. “Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would have to go and there is no second opinion to this demand. Our destination is the same though there might be some differences in our strategies. The decision would be yours as we cannot impose our decision, therefore, have come with a request,” he added.

Speaking to protesters, Qureshi said that the government had requested the army to play a role, but had changed its stance in parliament, of which the entire nation was now aware. “The government has lost moral authority to remain in power,” he added.

Army as facilitator

Earlier in the day, the PAT chief vehemently denied Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s statement that the protesters had asked for a meeting with the army chief. “I had not even spoken to the army chief before our meeting yesterday. Imran Khan did not make any request asking the army to intervene either,” he clarified.

After the release of an ISPR statement clarifying that the government had asked the army chief to facilitate talks, Qadri said that the prime minister had lied on the floor of the house and had lost all moral authority to continue in his august office.

He said that ISPR had exposed the true face of the government, and inquired as to why the champions of democracy were now silent. “Now I ask parliamentarians and champions of democracy whether their democracy allows the prime minister to tell lies on the floor of the parliament? Why are the champions of democracy silent now? Why have they not impeached the prime minister?” Qadri questioned.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 30^th, 2014.