Govt’s decision not to arrest Qadri lauded

LAHORE: The government’s decision to not arrest Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Dr Tahirul Qadri upon his return to Lahore is commendable, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Punjab president Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo said on Wednesday.He was addressing a press conference at the PPP Punjab secretariat.

Wattoo said the PPP was prepared to make the Foundation Day Workers’ Convention on November 30 a resounding success, for which no effort would be spared. Various proposals regarding the arrangements were discussed at the meeting. The approval for the arrangements will be solicited from the Punjab Executive Council at its meeting on November21. Wattoo said they were expecting workers from all over the country.

He said the Foundation Day Convention will be held in all tehsils to project the PPP’s political philosophy. “Lahore will look like PPP’s city that day.” All roads and public places will be decorated party flags, banners and other material before the convention, he said.

He said the party’s youth wing and the Peoples Students Federation will arrange a “spectacular fireworks show” near the Bilawal House and hold a torch-bearing procession. Other entertaining events like horse dancing, music and folk singing will add to the festivity of Foundation Day, he said. Wattoo said they were making special arrangements to facilitate journalists in reporting the event. He said a bus will shuttle between Press Club and Bilawal House to provide transport to journalists.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2014.