A supporter of Pakistani cleric Tahir-ul Qadri enjoys the rain at a protest rally in Islamabad on January 17, 2013. – Photo by AFP
While talks have begun between a government delegation and Tahirul Qadri inside the bullet-proof container from which the cleric has been addressing crowds for the last three days. His supporters who have been participating in the sit-in have been enduring rain in the capital since Thursday morning. Qadri had given the government a ‘last deadline’ of 3pm to meet his demands which was then extended to 3:45 pm.
Qadri, who returned from Canada last month, is demanding that Pakistan enact reforms before the general elections scheduled to be held by mid-May. He called upon the corrupt to be disqualified from running for elections. He highlighted the fact that paying only lip service to the Constitution and law should not be acceptable and what is needed is the actual and strict enforcement of the Constitution and law in Pakistan.
The cleric called upon Pakistani citizens to “Come out of your homes to save Pakistan, save the future of your children”. Lots of free food was available in the form of food trucks that came and went with people lining up orderly in queues. The women camped on one side of the road with many young children, while men, young and old, stayed on the other side of divider. Closer to Qadri’s bullet proof container where he’s now living, young men wearing caps and badges displaying Qadri’s Minhaj ul Quran charitable organization.
As crowds wait it out patiently the talks inside the container continue. Some images from this rainy morning. – Text Rina Saeed Khan and Dawn.com
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One of the best pictures! Another example of peaceful protest.
How will our people understand that we have not a single politician who cares for them? Qadri drama finally ends after all the big claims he made before starting the protest. People will go back to their home and I am very sure forget what drama a so-called scholar played with them.
He atleast had moral and courage to raise voice, look at what you are doing. Sitting in home using internet and discouraging those who have courage. By now you must be awfully ashamed if you can think.
Its Absolutely correct
Pakistan Prime minister position in Pakistan like india’s village ward member
A completely useless excercise but must commend Qadri for showing Talibans and other Mullah’s how to mobilize people without violance.
i wonder why MR. Qadri did not even come out. I am not knowledgeable of pakistani politics, but a leader cannot be trusted when he is so weak that he can’t even come out in open to speak to his supporters.
I salute these people for their courage and determination against all odds, whether heavenly like rain or by the opposition of poeple like negative campaign against their cause by media, politicians and unformtunately some people as well.
We are nothing but a bunch of fools.
Tahir qadri is a disgusting politician. Sure, he camps in a warm, bullet-proof bus while his tricked followers are stuck in the cold and rain. Pathetic!
ur right bro
God bless you guys. You made a history!
He is comfortably staying in the warm and secure bus(?) and public is suffering in the cold weather. How pathetic.
No matter how you look at it, if Qadri even succeeds half way, it is the victory of frustrated, disgruntled ordinary man/woman. No one wants to sleep in cold & rain, you cant’t force them unless people want to be the part of struggle.
Pathetic politicians.