Qadri ready to become caretaker premier
Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) chief Tahirul Qadri. — File Photo by AFP
LAHORE, Dec 28: Tehrik Minjhajul Quran chief Dr Tahirul Qadri is not a candidate for the general election but will accept the challenge of becoming the caretaker prime minister in case “millions of participants in his long march and the nation force him to do so”.
The TMQ chief held a marathon press conference in Model Town on Friday where he tried to dispel ‘certain apprehensions’ about his movement.
On one occasion he broke down while giving details about funding for the movement. He said his wife and daughters had already sold their gold ornaments and were now planning to sell their house to fund the TMQ long march.
“I am determined not to contest the upcoming election. However, if the participants in my march and the nation as well press me to become the caretaker premier, (which I really don’t want) I will be ready to accept this challenge by doing unprecedented electoral reforms amid massive accountability for the first time in the history of the country,” he said.
He said he and the TMQ had a one-point agenda — the formation of an honest and trustworthy caretaker government after involving all stakeholders. And this should introduce electoral reforms in order to bring a leadership for the country that could represent all segments of society, including journalists, farmers, workers, lawyers and traders.
The TMQ chief said as the armed forces and the judiciary were important part of the country’s democratic and electoral system, there was no harm in taking them on board. “We call military in flood-hit areas, for collection of bills and for several civic issues. Why are we afraid of consulting them on such an important issue. Similarly, we can involve judiciary in this process by seeking legal and constitutional guidance in this regard,” he said.
Dr Qadri stressed that the long march would be peaceful as the TMQ would not allow anyone to take over the country on the pretext of their march and law and order.
Commenting on rampant corruption in the country, he said it was a major problem and a cause of weakening of state institutions. He quoted a former prime minister of New Zealand, David Lange, as having told him in late 80s about huge kickbacks by a Pakistani premier.
He said Bob Hawke (a former Australian PM) had informed him about the demand of 30 per cent share by a top Pakistani authority when Australia planned making foreign investment in Pakistan.
He expressed his confidence in the present judiciary and military leadership, saying both were playing a vital role in saving the democratic system. He said the TMQ had also established its own electoral institution led by former election commission secretary Kunwar Dilshad.
At the end of discussion, a woman claiming herself as an expatriate from Italy gave a donation of Rs600,000 to the TMQ chief for funding the long march.
Aren’t we all ready become PM’s.
Please have mercy on the country – now you as well?
tahir ul qadri .wants to eliminate the whadera culture from pakistani culture.which is what pakistan needs.to stop the VIPs the ELITE and FEUDAL system.so that pakistans can taste freedom under a just democratic system..i used to this man because of his brelvi religion.but will trust him on this issue because he is the first man.who has mentioned the evil of feudal system we live under now.
please someone force me to become CM,PM. I also want to serve the nation although I am not running for the election too.
I’ll be your campaign manager, Haider.
Long march at the end of tenure of Govt. looks funny. its better to spend money in good of pakistan rather this DRAMA to get caretaker position.
Can’t believe people are taking him seriously. Hilarious!
what is going on? a person who is not eligible to be part of the parliament due to the dual nationality factor wants to be become PM!! And why is MQM toeing the line? Has MQM’s mandate given it the consent? Is not MQM riskign a lot of what it already has by embroiling itself in this issue?
God Bless Pakistan…….
The powers that be, are up to their old games again it seems.
the powers that be are up to their old games, which means, we the public should be aware of their tactics. The point is, what are we doing to stop it from happening? as a cliche goes, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.
I fully agree with Tahirul Qadri saheb. The present form of democracy in Pakistan can not bring change and prosperity. The past, present and future parliaments were ruled and will be ruled by feudals and mafias who will never deliver. Although constitution of Pakistan allows only honest and God fearing people to stand for election, this expect is conveniently ignored by election commission. Atleast sitting members of the present assemblies who have not submitted their return for income tax in time and paid income tax should be straight forwardly disqualified. Similarly those who oppose income tax on farm income should be treated as traitors and be disqualified to stand election.
Dear Fazal, Agree with a lot of what you are saying, but 2 wrongs do not make a right! Let him pitch the “righteous” candidates i nthe upcoming elections, if the public votes him to power, he has all the right to bring the changes he is asking others to manage in 18 days in 5 years.
And people like Qadri who enjoy luxuries in Canada for years and only come back to Pakistan to become Caretaker Prime Minister should be banned from public speaking. He has become a symbol of opportunists. He was saying in a TV interview that he will give up Canadian nationality only if he is guaranteed Public office which meant just 2 minutes before taking oath as Caretaker PM. He will run away back to Canada as soon as his tenure as PM comes to an end. He should be jailed for insulting all Nation. He has no shame he is damn greedy
I hope Pakistan situation get better, I am sure there are thousands of Pakistani living in europe, USA Canada and gulf countries, love to setup business and invest in Pakistan. But unfortunately when they hear the situation about pakistan they giveup. Matter of fact lots of Pakistani cant even go for visit to sww family members…. Bcoz too many innocent people getting killed. VERY SAD.
Lets hope for the BEST Inshallah.
Sincerely
Ash Mirza (USA)
Ash Mirza Sb. this is not true, you have seen what media decided to be seen. This is understood, economic problems leads to extremism and lack of accepting each other.But the conditions are better as looked from media. Media is biased, they highlighted little dispute as national disaster. Due to political reasons some areas of some cities are badly effected but it doesn’t mean all over in pakistan situation is bad.
Please dear Mirza pray for this country. the elite is not sincerely with this country. in the bad time they can move to other parts of world, but the poor have only one homeland which is Pakistan.
I also announce the donation of 1000 shouts against the march, if needed.
Add thousand from my side too!
These money mongers are just playing with the sentiments of poor depressed Pakistanis!
He would be the best option to test his credibility since the tenure of the caretaker Prime Minister is of limited period. What he is advocating makes sense and there is no harm if the overall objective is to hold free and transparent election. There is no hiding of the fact that through constitutional amendment both PPP and PML(N) have connived to agree to a mechanism whereby both could benefit.
God save Pakistan…from all this last minute DRAMA.
dear moulana qadri sahib , assalaamualikum.
it is better that you spend this money through mr abdus sattar eidhi. what long march will do. long march is good for unity among masses. please you just try to build the nations research institutions, scientific institutions, charity trusts, eductional-cum- deeni institutions.we need a sincere person like ABDUS SATTAR EIDHI.
why did you sell your gold for mrach. if you give it to eidhi trust , it is worth. thanks.
A simple but important question is, Can a Canadian citizen (Mr. Qadri is a Canadian citizen) become a Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan?
Yes. ex caretaker PM Moeen Qureshi was also a foreign national?
Not a bad choice in current scenarios of radicals and liberal fascists…
The best thinking of tmq chief is to directly support imran khan…which will remain best for his party and pak future…
Of Course yes.
I think he came to our country to block Imran Khan’s success. He will help MQM to establish in Punjab province.