Political bashing: Qadri hits out at Zardari for ‘lying about PAT’

PAT activists gear up to celebrate Eid with their leader

ISLAMABAD:

Firebrand cleric Dr Tahirul Qadri on Saturday advised Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari to remain silent or else risk exposure by him.

Addressing the sit-in on Saturday, Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief said that he knows all about Zardari and asked him to refrain from issuing baseless statements. He said people like Zardari — who loot their own country and make their assets abroad — are not sincere with the country.

Qadri hit out at Zardari after the PPP leader had alleged that “sit-ins are being handled by foreign forces”.

The PAT chief also made it clear that he would not wind-up his sit-in from Islamabad and would instead celebrate Eid in the capital. He said that he would address public gatherings at Faisalabad and Lahore from Islamabad.

“Unfortunately, the Punjab government has not yet initiated investigation into the Model Town and Islamabad incidents where dozens of PAT workers were killed,” he said.

Meanwhile, a key member of the political Jirga, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq, telephoned Qadri and asked him to consider the demands which have been accepted by the government. However, according to sources, Qadri said that he will restart negotiations with the government after Eid.

Eid under open sky

Even the festivity of Eid has failed to discourage PAT activists from abandoning their sit-in. Instead PAT activists plan to spend Eidul Azha with Dr Qadri in Islamabad.

Watching her children play at the sit-in, Mumtaz Amir says she does not hope for anything apart from the revolution she was promised. “We miss our families but our cause is far more important than our families,” she said. Protesting teenagers have also made preparations for Eid. Ayesha, 15, along with other family members, is eager to spend Eid with her leader. She informed that she has made Eid cards for many friends she has made at the sit-in whom she wished to remain in contact for years to come.

For Nasir, this will be a lifetime experience. “We have a chance to spend Eid with Dr Qadri.” Celebrating Eid under the open sky on the road will be better than the Eid celebrated in their hometown in Bahawalnagar, he added.

Maryam Muqadas, who came from Layyah, said that 25 members of her family are already at the sit-in and her parents were coming specially to celebrate Eid with them.

Another woman, Noor, who appeared to be in her early 30s, said that her family had especially come from Mianwali to celebrate Eid with the protesters.

PAT workers from Muzaffargarh were also in high spirits. A worker, Rao Sagheer Ahmed, admitted that people were going home for attending important events but they were also coming back.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 5^th, 2014.