Government in talks with Tahirul Qadri
Tahirul Qadri addresses supporters during a protest rally in Islamabad, Jan 17, 2013. — Photo by AFP
ISLAMABAD: A government delegation held talks with Tahirul Qadri, chief of the Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ), to avert a political crisis and disperse a rally that has heaped pressure on the government, DawnNews reported on Thursday evening.
The delegation comprises of Afrasiab Khattak, Farooq Naek, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Chaudhry Shujaat, Babar Ghauri, Khurshid Shah, Amin Faheem, Farooq Sattar and Mushahid Hussain.
Earlier, Qadri had given the government a ‘last deadline’ of until 3 pm to meet his demands which he had later extended to 3:45 pm. At the time, he had also stated that talks could only be held with President Asif Ali Zardari. However, the government had constituted a committee to hold talks with the TMQ chief.
He had added that he was giving a last chance to the government to address his demands.
In his address earlier, Qadri had said that the attitude of the country’s rulers had proven that there was no space for peace in Pakistan.
Addressing his supporters during the sit-in in Islamabad, Qadri had stated that although he had given the government three weeks for talks, the rulers had failed to budge.
He had said the country’s current rulers did not believe in a peaceful resolution of issues confronting the nation.
The TMQ chief had also stated that hundreds of thousands had been staging a sit-in in the capital for days, adding that the participants were only counting on God’s mercy.
Qadri had moreover said that the country was not being governed under a democratic system and instead barbarity was the order of the day.
He had also criticised Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf for travelling to Balochistan four days after the bombings in Quetta, saying the rulers did not have a democratic temperament.
The TMQ chief had moreover questioned as to how were the “terrorists” entering the country, adding that brutality was at its extreme in Pakistan.
Qadri had also claimed that members of the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) were also participating in the sit-in.
Govt constitutes committee for talks with Qadri
Moreover, sources had earlier told DawnNews that the president had been informed of Qadri’s demand for holding talks with him.
Sources had at the time added that the federal government had constituted a committee of four to hold talks with the TMQ chief.
The committee included Afrasiab Khattak, Farooq Sattar, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Khurshid Shah.
The TMQ chief is leading tens of thousands of protesters outside parliament to demand that the government resign. It is the largest political rally in the capital for years.
The rally has threatened to destabilise the country as it inches towards what would be the first democratic transition of power between two civilian governments in the upcoming elections.
An estimated 25,000 people are believed to be taking part in the largest rally in Islamabad since the current government took office in 2008.
Earlier on Wednesday, the main opposition parties demanded an immediate timetable for elections, but refused to join Qadri.
The government has announced no date for polls but says parliament will disband in mid-March to make way for a caretaker government and elections within 60 days.
Qadri wants parliament dissolved now and a caretaker government set up in consultation with the military and judiciary to implement key reforms such as setting up a new election commission and banning corrupt candidates.
Qadri’s sudden — and apparently well-financed — emergence after years in Canada has been criticised as a ploy by sections of the establishment to delay the elections and sow political chaos.
Information minister Qamar Zaman Kaira has ridiculed the TMQ chief, accusing him of staying in a “seven-star bunker” while women and children camp out in the chilly nights and issued a veiled threat alluding to his possible arrest.
While critics dismiss Qadri’s supporters as a rent-a-crowd, many of the sit-in participants articulate real concerns about Pakistan’s problems, digging in for the long-haul, with supplies of food, water and mattresses and blankets.
please no more jokes
Reading all the comments, I can not beleive what ppl are thinking. Yes the current gov’t is a bad one, may be the worse we have seen. But, asking the gov’t to do things that are out side of constitution. COME ON MAN. Please understand and learn form our history. Look, always bending to the need of time, and supporting unconstitutional take overs, we are here with a very bad gov’t. The only way forward is trust the constitution and go through three or four election cycles (given they are held on time and accrding to the constitution and not be impatient with it and again demand unconstitutional take overs.
No matter how many people are marching with him. There are millions and millions of people watching him in Pakistan and all over the world. No matter how much we want to discredit him in his effort, anyone speaking against him is looking ridiculous, desperate and mischievious.
i was impressed with imran khans aims but he has just proved he is same as the rest . dr quadri zindabad
The leader is appointed from among you. So if the nation choose the right path all will fall in place as it should and will drive you to success.
standing behind bulletproof glass in container with all facilities while his supporters are soaking in rain…. i don’t know how could he claim that he is going to bring the change?????? DEJA VU…
Pakistan is passing through a rough time.inflation is out of control Nd there is hardly any security
For the public. There is no law and order and the government is totally incompetent and corrupt and we do not have to prove this. It is so obvious and above all all political parties are not accepting any responsility.
I am glad someone is challenging the government about this and I am very surprised some people of
Pakistan supporting the corrupt politicians by spreading the conspiracy rumors. Shame on them.
The photos being shown on various websites and news channels show a gathering in excess of 200,000 people – so why the false reporting that only 15 – 25000 are there……please respond.
Most of the PK elite, politicians and news anchors really need to study the pictures of participants at the Long March….there are well over 100,000 if not closer to 200,000 attending. The crowd is still growing. It is just media “hogwash” to say there are no more than 25000….what lies. This is the exact false reporting and lying that Mr Qadri is taking a stand against.
I must be very honest to openly admit that both Qadri & Zardari have very strong nerves because despite many dead lines given by Qadri were ignored but at the same time neither Qadri stopped issuing threats nor Zardari buged which not mnay can boast of. However, since rubber is stretchable but there is limit to it and if still the rubber is stretched then it will automatically break off. Without going into details as to what will be the result of negotiations which are on at this point of time when I am writing but the fact remains that Qadri has won to the extent that Zardari had to agree to discuss his demands. Zardari has also won the hearts of the people by sending negotiating team.
Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait / iqbalhadizaidi.formerdiplomat@hotmail.com
Dr Qadri….we all stand behind you to end the tyranny subjected to our fellow countryman
in the last 5 years…..also, please be careful with the Ch. Shujaat as these are people without any
moral values
Geo Qadri Sahib and salut for the guys supporting him .. today it was raining there and you can guess how cold it was today.. i saw the guys were dancing there without shirts and shoes .. really amazing…. he is committed to what he is saying and what he is saying is all the truth … i cam from gb to participate in his long march .. !
we r with you sir , I salute you for doing something for pakistan
Revolution is only possible when Allah send His Beloved person for the nation, as Islamic history is the proof of it. The one who don’t offer prayer five times, don’t have love of Allah and His Prophet(S.A.W.W), the one who don’t devote himself for preaching Islam.. Person don’t have such attribute can’t do any thing for any country… Dr Tahir ul Qadri is the only person who showed the true image of Islam to the western world. have broad islamic and modern scientific knowledge. have written thousand books… If somebody don’t like Tahir ul Qadri then other party leaders don’t have such attributes so that they may loved by Almighty Allah or used for revolution…. If u want to bring change then follow the one who have broad knowledge of Quran and Hadees so that he may impliment rules according to Quran and Hadees….
Qadri sb has no clear goals and his conditions and demands change after every hour.He should feel pity for innocent children and old people whom he uses for his vested interests.He is himself sitting in warm and secure cabin while his foolish followers are facing severe cold under open sky.Now after dilogue with ruling elite he will take a lion share ,getting some favour in the coming caretaker setup or in the next govt and the poor will remain poor contrary to his slogans.He is inelligible for any political position under article 62 and 63 of the constitution of pakistan for having dual nationality.
Imran khan has definitely missed the train here and been exposed. He sung the song of drones for years but no march and nothing changed. I can bet, without reforms, PTI might get 5-10 NA seats max and tomorrow same PTI will be moaning in press conferences on corrupt practices and no one will listen to them. Imran seems to be encircled by the same status quo oldies like Qureshi, Tareen, Hashmi etc who’re at the helm of its affairs. They’re doing more bad than good to PTI, Sad..
Qamar Zaman Kaira in the group of people meeting him? After ridiculing the scholar on national TV less than 24 hours, he is in the group of people negotiating with the scholar. The Information Minister is a street man only good for dirty politics and speaking his masters voice. Amin Fahim involved in corruption cases. Hmmmmm … Government is really serious. Really sad that people have not taken his call to come out on the streets. From now on, the fate of the people of Pakistan is sealed. Live as slaves, be miserable followers, and die complaining.
I see a REAL big and a very expensive embarrassment for Dr. Qadri. I hope he finds something to save his face.
according to me Qadri is fulfilling the aims of enemies of pakistan or some out sider`s agenda as in current situation we need national unity.
This is all very good for freedom of speech, right to protest etc etc. But who is responsible for the loss of our daily livelihood for us traders located in Blue Area and in Islamabad in general. We have not been able to open our businesses for the fourth day running. Some of us have to work for a living. Not everyone has disciples in Canada and the UK sending us dollars.
Hey Sattar who says Anna Hazare is some kind of a nemesis. After the initial euphoria Anna has become quite except speaking for irrelevent issues now. Qadri and Anna are alike – too much time on their hands and not much to do.
Looks to me he is much more relating to an average Pakistani whereas PTI which supposed to take sides took extra time and does not resonate with all the youths in USA. It has changed the public sentiment greatly towards PTI.
If the container is already equipped with microphone and the negotiators are all those whom we are hearing for last three werks, then why back-door negotiation?
But all the politicians and government was dissolved by Dr. Qadir. Who is he inviting for negotiation now?
Government delegation has no mandate therefore negotiation seems meaningless.