LAHORE: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Saturday said that Dr Tahirul Qadri’s long march was nothing but a “blanket mach” and a “suicide attack on democracy,” DawnNews reported.

Speaking to media representatives after offering condolences to Sharif brothers over the demise of Nawaz Sharif’s younger brother, he reiterated that there were “confirmed intelligence reports” of terrorism threats for the long march.

Malik questioned financial assistance for the march. “Where is he (Qadri) getting funds for the long march from? Who is behind all this? What are the purposes behind holding the march?,” asked the minister, adding that Dr Qadri should himself answer all these questions, otherwise, he said the FIA holds the right to investigate and find out itself.

He said the Jan 14 march is a conspiracy to delay the upcoming general elections in the country and vowed to fail all efforts of derailing the democratic process.

Meanwhile, the minister also chaired a high level meeting in Islamabad to review law and order situation and security arrangements for the Jan 14 long march proposed by Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri.

The minister approved the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) evolved by CCPO Lahore for security arrangements in buses, said a press release issued here.

During the meeting it was pointed out by the Police representatives of KP and Punjab that as per credible intelligence information Dr Tahirul Qadri and his long march is under imminent threat of attack by banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other terrorist groups.

Rehman Malik appreciated good will and harmony prevailing between Federal and Provincial Governments and hoped that this will help in achieving the maximum peace and tranquility in coming days, particularly during the Sit-in in Islamabad – DawnNews/APP