At a time when I was seeing dreams of a change in Pakistan, I was rudely awoken. A few days before he left, Dr Qadri had spelt out a 10-point agenda for a post-revolution Pakistan. It was too good to be true.
It included dividing Punjab into seven to nine provinces. Of appointing district CM’s. Of tehsil assemblies and UC assemblies. He envisioned Pakistan as a leader in Asia. His slogan being: “No Asia without Pakistan.” He promised we would make the country so strong that all other Asian countries will be dependent on it.
He dreamed of “roti, kapra aur makan” for all. “Everybody will get a house. Everybody will get bread and clothing. Everyone will get a job. The poor will get kitchen items at half prices. Those earning less than Rs15,000 a month will pay half of their utility bills. Similarly, medical treatment and education will be free for the poor.” A modern-day utopia.
Then came the bad news. I read that Dr Qadri had called off the Islamabad dharna. The revolution was being devolved. Dr told his followers that the dharna had turned into a revolution and now there will be sit-ins across the country.
Participants were advised to pack their bags and return to their homes. Somehow as I listened to this announcement, I recalled Gil Scott-Heron poem and song “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.”
Social media later showed me pictures of Dr Qadri spotted at a subway restaurant in the West. In the meantime, the messages I would receive on my Twitter account disappeared as suddenly as they had started. The kingdom had folded. Incidentally, he also left on an Emirates flight. This dispels all rumours about him being banned by the airline. So much for that.
I am told, and my sources are the media, that there are three reasons why Dr Qadri has left for the West. First, that he would fly out to the United States, Canada and Britain in an effort to raise funds for his party. But he would not spend too much time in London “because of Shahbaz Sharif.” The Punjab CM, always a killjoy, seems to have been visiting on those dates too.
The second reason was to re-organize the party. Much needed because till a couple of years back, I had not even heard of the PAT. After all, PAT will participate in the general elections that will be held soon.
Much has to be done. Till recently, most people did not know the good doctor other than the man who first rose to prominence at a Sharif-funded mosque in the 80’s.
Dr Qadri also helped resurrect many faces. I saw “Sher-e-Punjab” Ghulam Mustafa Khar and “Sher-e-Central Asia” Sardar Assef. Christian community leader Julius Salik, also the best showman ever. And the representatives of the MWM and the Sunni Ittehad Council side by side.
The third reason we are told courtesy of PAT Karachi’s media coordinator Rao Ishtiaq. He informed the media that a movie on the life Dr Qadri is being filmed in Hollywood. He added that after the Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, “the PAT chief is the only Pakistani politician on whom a Hollywood movie is being made.” Ishtiaq also stated that “theses were being written on Dr Qadri in many universities in the world.” Must make for compelling reading.
Before leaving, Dr Qadri did tell us that his party will not hold rallies in the month of Muharram. But not when they will resume. No deal had been struck and that he is still adamant that the PM and CM should resign. He also clarified that he had informed his political cousins, the PTI, of his decision.
Justice for the families of the 14 people who were killed in Model Town in June. Dr Qadri has assured he will not accept Diyat for any of martyrs “Our demand is only Qisas [Life for life].” The show must go on.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 10th, 2014.
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Qadri is a joker who is an embarrassment to everyone in Pakistan. Let him stay on welfare in Canada and let his brain washed followers fight over his napkins and handkerchiefs!
Third attempt at a comment : Well said :-)
The Pied Piper has gone back, maybe to buy a new pipe, or seek guidance from his masters. As a Canadain national you cannot stay out of country for more than a certain period, if you want to be entitled to Social Security Benefits.
Dr. Qadri has gone mainly to collect funds for the next dharna. No explicit deal was made but implicit modus vivendi must have transpired. Qadri should do his own politics only, which should not depend on the support of the establishment and/or foreign sources. Let him be his own man.
And the Fourth Reason is that since he lives on social security benefits in Canada, he needs to be in the country after a certain time to continue to receive the benefits funded by Canadian tax payers. In a way Canadian tax payers are funding revolution in Pakistan.
I cant understand this mentality, when Dr Qadri is here, they say he should not come back, When he announces Long march, no need for long march, when he is doing sit-in they say why he is doing sit-in , when he ends sit-in they say he should have continued his sit-in, when he goes back they say he should stay here.
Tahir ul Qadri is the most educated and knowledgeable leader in Paksitan, these articles are always against him, reason is only one that these guys just don't like his beard.
Canadian nationality or Paskistan!!!
Wake up! The show has ended. At least for a year.