Qadri announces end to protest after government deal
Tahirul Qadri (L) gestures while talking with ruling parties coalition leaders Qamar Zaman Kaira (2R), Mushahid Hussain (C), and Farooq H. Naek (R) during a meeting at a protest rally in Islamabad on January 17, 2013. – AFP Photo
ISLAMABAD: Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri late on Thursday announced an end to four days of anti-government protests by thousands of people after striking a deal with the government.
A high level delegation struck a deal with the cleric after thousands of people largely paralysed the capital and put intense pressure on the government.
The agreement was reached after hours of negotiation inside a bulletproof container the religious leader was using at the demonstration site.
Thousands of protesters packed into the main avenue running through the federal capital, danced and cheered when Qadri announced from the container that he had hammered out an agreement with the government.
“We have reached an agreement. After getting the prime minister’s signature, we will read it in out front of protesters,” the TMQ chief told his supporters.
Tahirul Qadri, who supported a 1999 military coup, has been calling for the military to play a role in the formation of a caretaker administration in the run-up to elections due in May.
The government agreed with the cleric to dissolve the National Assembly before its term ends in mid-March, giving 90 days until elections are held, according to the “Islamabad Long March Declaration”.
That would give time to make sure politicians are eligible to stand for elections.
The government also agreed that the caretaker administration, which normally precedes elections, would be chosen in consultation with all parties.
A declaration laying out the agreement between the government and Qadri was signed by Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf as well as the high-level government officials who made up the negotiating team.
The government delegation was comprised of Afrasiab Khattak, Farooq H. Naek, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Chaudhry Shujaat, Babar Ghauri, Khurshid Shah, Amin Faheem, Farooq Sattar, Senator Abbas Afridi and Mushahid Hussain.
They also agreed that the treasury benches in complete consensus with Qadri’s party will propose the names of two honest and impartial people for the appointment of caretaker prime minister.
On the issue of composition of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the agreement said that it will be discussed at a meeting on Jan 27 at the Minhaj-ul-Quran Secretariat in Lahore.
It was agreed upon that the focus will be on the enforcement of electoral reforms prior to the polls on article 62, 63 and 218 (3) of the constitution, section 77 to 82 of the representation of people’s act 1976 and other relevant provisions relating to conducting free and fair elections.
The Supreme Court’s judgement of June 8, 2012 on constitutional petition of 2011 must be implemented in true letter and spirit also.
Moreover, they also agreed that with the end of the long march and sit-in, all cases registered against each other shall be withdrawn immediately and there will be no acts of victimisation and vendetta against either party or the participants of the march.
The deal may ease pressure on the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), which has come under fire for failing to tackle a range of problems, from a Taliban insurgency to a weak economy.
khoda pahar nikla choha, thook kar chat lia, jab milna he un say tha tu itna bara drama karnay k faida kia ?
i was watching TV concerning about long march ,watching every time like world cup matches but his long march ended with no clear change although he was talking about Egyptian model in Pakistan mean revolution.
And U know why, because people like you did not show up nsince u like the existing system.
The democracy movement in Pakistan is older and much stronger than the Egyptian model. We need to stop looking to muslim countries for models. These countries are themselves struggling to catch up with the much more mature democracies of the west. This compromise has shown the democratic parties in Pakistan are rapidly attaining maturity and are able to solve problems in a peaceful manner without burning buses or killing people.
It can’t be a democracy without religious participation. Those are the demographics. However it is difficult for the people without basic education to participate and interact in the decision process. Religious schools do not socialized people in the same way public education does or getting a college education abroad does. That is where class differences begin.
A very good effort by Dr. Qadri to try and bring about positive changes to the electoral process. Let’s wait and see how all of this pans out in the upcoming general elections. Congratulations are in order to Mr. Qadri and the protestors, especially women and children. Such people are a glimmer of hope for Pakistan’s future.
The timing of the Long March wasn’t right. With only three months left for the termination of the assemblies, Mr, Qadri was demanding their dissolution prior to that which won’t make any difference. As far as electoral reforms are concerned, his demands are ok. But in order to take the sympathy of a common man, he must have done the long march way before.
Nation wants to know about the real aim of Qadri behind all this five day drama. He spend billions of rupees and put the lives of innocent people in risk. All the point mentioned in the so called ‘Islamabad Declaration’ are already the part of constitution – supreme court and election commision is there to implement it.
by the way how much time supereme court and election commission were able to implement those points in prior held elections????
This for the first time in the history of Pakistan that judiciary is independent and a person of fair character is Chief Election Commissioner. Let them prove themselves – instead of relying on a dual national.
What a pacifier!
ya he has been pacified. Qadri knew that he didn’t have enough support of opposition. Thats why he softened his stance at the end. The elections are also around the corner so it wouldn’t have made enough difference had the assemblies been dissolved immediately.
Happy ending by announcement of dissolution of parliament shortly and care taker government. Pakistan needs peace and stability. Hatred within minds only creates chaos and no one come on Board for progress. Human must love everyone irrespective of his faith. Citizens must be made a part of progress instead of elimination of anyone. This becomes paradise on earth.
Once upon a time there was a Sheikh imported from Canada
… and when he was sent back, he happily lived thereafter!
and he jollted the longly prevailing doomed political atmoshphere within a short span of time. A task which we were looking forward to Imran khan to be played by. But he couldn’t. He will be no where in near future. I was his supporter but I WAS not I AM. He has shown no grace or dignity at all.
A great achievement of a single man, Dr. Quadri, against immense odds! This is what it is and should be recognised as such. However, the agreement is incomplete in the sense that more meetings would be required on some points not yet resolved, such as the reconstitution of the Election Commission. But how would this agreement really resolve the main problems of Pakistan, the foremost among which are terrorism and corruption—two sides of the same coin, is yet to be seen. We should remember that the corrupt elements that today rule Pakistan, and the militancy that has got into our polity, have much deeper roots than can be tackled through a single agreement of this kind. Proof of the pudding is in the eating. if we move forward even a small distance along the road to honest and efficient governance, Quadri’s name would be written in golden letters in the history of this country!
a drama come yo end, a men with slogan of revolution give up just in three days, sir it is easy to sit in a well heated bunker and talk about revolution, if you want revolution than face the real world .
The reality is that Qadri, Imran Khan or anyone for that matter will bring about any substantial change right away. That’s because it is not possible. The root cause of the problems in Pakistan relate to moral corruption (and I am not talking about women on TV, I am talking about financial corruption in every department of every organization in this country). They also relate to bigotry (related to women and minority rights) and a dissillusionment that religion will solve all our problems and finally a denial of the existance of the Taliban that want to destroy our way of life. Until there is kindness and love in the hearts of Pakistanis and not anger, ignorance and greed, we will remain a troubled nation countinously teetering on the brink of disaster. We are our own worst enemy.
“Real equality can never be anything but a dream until men feel toward each other as brothers.”
Madame Sun Yat-sen
.
Wife of Sun Yat-sen, president of China and sister of Madame Chang Kai-shek, both of whom attended a Christian college in America. Their father Charlie Soong was a businessman and politician who was very close to China’s top gangsters and the triads (as was General Chang).
Peoples hearts are different. Madame Sun Yat-sen became a communist after her husband’s death.
Well said.
Disagree; All these problems can be fixed in matters of days if not hours. How? All you have to do is to enforce the existing Islamic laws. Everyone including President, PM and Cheif Justice of Pakistan should be made accountable.
In the west, not all people are honestby nature but they fear law. Where as in our homeland, you are a hero if you break the law.
Z Khan USA
Very well said, Imran it is the corruption, corruption and corruption that is the very root cause of sick mentality among the heads of the flock. They do not deserve to be called leaders or Politicians, because they are sub-standard humans and yet they claim to be heading an Islamic country, not only are they mentally challenged but they have made mockery of the religion
The govenments in Pakistan, sadly, never seem to learn from past mistakes committed time and again in our political history: Appeasing the Mullah will never be conducive for putting the country on a moderate path in accordance with the ideals envisaged by Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Pakistan Movement. The today’s drama will only help to perpetuate our culture of political short-sightedness.
He is not a Mullah, He is highly educated and has a PhD. Calling him Mullah, u r not only demonising your religion but also degrading education.
His qualification is LLB, correct me if i am wrong.
“He is not a Mullah, He is highly educated and has a PhD…” — in self promotion & self aggrandizement besides a Master’s in moving deadlines?
His qualification are LLB and PhD in Islamic Law (Punishments in Islam, their Classification and Philosophy). So makes him a notch above a Mullah…:)
‘What’s in a name? That which we call a Mullah by any other name would smell as rotten’
qadri is digrace to Islam and Pakistan. He fits into true defination of MUNAFIQ. he is the person who supported Musharraf in 1999 and now he is asking for democracy. check out his interview on youtube given to Danish tv regarding Blasphemy law. In one interview he is rejecting blasphemy law and in other he says that he is the one who brought this law.
Qadri is misguiding people from Islam. People like him and javaid ghamdi etc also get a lot of media coverage. Therefore we should be aware to identify these wrong people.
And what do you have to say about corruption of Zardari, Gillani, Ashraf, Nawaz Shariff, Maulana Desiel, etc.? Or are THEY your Gods???
corruption is definately not acceptable. But if you are a religious scholar and you do wrong things (especially BIDDATS) then it is totally unacceptable and unforgivable. Because you are guiding people towards wrong path.
Who cares!
We don’t like mullahs for the very same reason we do not like policemen. Because they are never wrong.
FIA was investigating how TuQadri got funded through hundi (money laundring) and the only thing for the government delegation to get him on the terms would have been the evidence shown to his sorry “backside”. waste of millions of tax money on securing this large crowd. why didn’t IK joined him? now see the answer. IK isn’t involved in such nasty tactics neither he is a mullah with devotees (murids).
IK’s reputation has been damaged instead. He is singing “Drones” song for last many years, promised for march but it didn’t happen and nothing changed. His rhetoric of revolution or change is loosing its steam fast. You’ll witness that in upcoming elections when PTI won’t get anything but 5-10 NA seats max..
If I were a betting man… I would take you up on your prediction.
What tax dollar you talking about. Who pays taxes in Pakistan. That’s a donated money from foreign nations. As the old saying goes “EASY COME EASY GO.”
Every little detergent, soap or toothpaste you buy, tax is included in the price. All the poor do pay tax that way.
qadri is not only a mullah with devotees… he is a great scholar and have goood education … and about IK only a word he just involve in tactics of jewish lobby…so please do 1 thing for pakistan ask FIA to investigate IK paid/funded member of jewish lobby planted in pakistan…
Qadri is fraud and should be responsible and say sorry to childern suffered in cold weather while he was enjoying watching them from bullet proof container.in nice sofa. so ask your self are you too thick.
Another sham comes to its logical end. Totally pointless drama, the biggest losers being the simpletons who brave the weather and spent four nights under open skies.
That’s the truth, but the simpletons loved every minute of it. They thought they were “making a difference” no matter how it turned out. They will remember the people they spent their time with.
I feel pity for all pessimistic Pakistanis who lost hope in their country.Why can’t you support Qadri Sahab in his struggle for change?Have you people lost hope in Allah?Can’t you think positive?Why can’t you have a firm belief that something better could happen to your country?I am an Indian and I have firm belief that Pakistan can come out this grave situation.
We did not lose hope in Pakistan. We lost faith in our “religious scholars”.
What about your political nit wits? You have hope in them???
We have hope in ALLAH but not in Qadri Sb(who tailors Allah’s deen)
Do you think that Allah himself would descend from ARSH to save you?No,he would help you only if you help yourself.Remember,Allah always sends a reviver to save a civilization from falling apart.
Pakistan’s economic problems, at this point anyway, have no solution.
China shot it’s landlords and opium dealers in 1949.
It’s present central economy is geared not to make money but to put people to work. That is why we sometimes buy Chinese goods that are so cheap you wonder how they can make a profit. Often they are not making a profit. Don’t compare their country to yours.
AKBER,@ Allah always sends a reviver to save a civilization from falling apart.
Wer did u get this from ?? masala movie ???
Surely ALLAAH helps to those who ask Him for help and ( and prays daily fard SALAH and ZIKR )
Verily never will Allah change a condition of a people until they change what is within their souls [Surah Ra'd -13:11]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~And as we imagine that the ruler would change – whilst the nation do not believe in this Deen – then what would happen is that these people will cause a revolution as had happened, for example lately in Russia – this state was established by force and through tyranny and through suppressing the voice of the people through killing – so we find that the people did not support it, but rather opposed it. And for Allah’s laws to be enforced throughout throughout this earth – they have to be carried / defended by the Believers -
He it is that has strengthened you with His aid and with the Believers. [Surah Anfaal- 8:62]
So we don’t wait for the east or the west to help the Deen, but its own people have to be its carriers – they are the ones to carry and defend the Deen.
hahaaaa…you are indian..??? really.??
your doubt is right.. because he is wishing well for Pakistan
Well done Tahir ul Qadri!!
No matter what the outcome people will critisize Dr sahib as was the case even before this march started. If he had started a voilent protest after the deadline these same people would have bashed Dr sahib again for putting kids and women into danger. We are not happy in any case. At least Dr sahib had guts to stand up against tyrant rulers and spoke the truth. and told the people of Pakistan how can we achieve the real inqilab. This is the catalyst for Inqilab for the years to come. Govt knows now that the nation is awoken and won’t let these corrupt rulers rule again without any accountability…..
Whatever the outcome, you have made proud to be Pakistani today! I salute all the participants…
what did Dr. Qadri received in return for his obedience to call off march? Nothing will change? Things will go on with little cosmetic changes to fool the masses.
Democracy is crucial to Pakistan and India. Empty threats against system is not adequate as clean politicians need to convince voters without buying vote or using booze as prevalent in India with crusaders like JP of Loksatta leading the movement peacefully.Pakistan needs clean politicians with public good in mind to compete in elections and end dynastic corrupt politics.
Point to notice that this is the only person in this game with an actual PhD.
PHD in what? Is that important?
Phira Hua Dimag
That’s the PHD he has. It was all a sham to fool the nation … again another dram that was staged by a person who has his followers behind him. He is asking to end the Feudal system in Pakistan … isn’t he a Feudal Lord “look-alike” himself? What’s the difference? He has his followers and Feudal Lords have their followers … the end game is the same! When will people of Pakistan learn that these religious leaders and politicians are making a fool and mockery out of Pakistan and people of Pakistan!
PhD in Islamic Law (Punishments in Islam, their Classification and Philosophy)
U must be hating ISLAM
Fraud what else
Fraud of the highest order
That tells you that you don’t become smart by getting a PhD.
We called this educated ignorant…you sent those fellows to oxford trust me you can’t change there mentality.
We, here abroad, withstand derogatory remarks other people pass about Pakistan. We are lost, having nothing to be proud of to reply sternly. We have nowhere to go.
I think let these monsters eat our country till the people have no choice left but only a true revolution.
I have heard too many Pakistanis talk of revolution. Why do people fail to realize that the present Constitution promises all cures of the problems? If the 3 or 4 main parties that have voters (PPP, PML-N, MQM, ANP) are so bad, why not form new parties that challenge the problems with old parties and try to correct them (much like Imran Khan’s PTI). Then leave it to voters (who happen to be owners of the country) decide what they like to choose for themselves. If you think people are fools and they will make a wrong choice, then go back to the principle that it is people’s country and they can do with it whatever they like.
yes indeed.
Revolution is thrust upon you. The only decision then is which side you will fight on. The time for discussion will be over when the fighting comes into your street. It is human nature to wait until there is no time left.
The Taliban have already put the machinery of revolution in operation. The only revolution possible is their revolution. For better or worse the women of Pakistan will join no shooting revolution. How then is a democratic revolution possible? The answer is the Egyptian compromise minus the blasphemy laws. Your blasphemy laws are unconstitutional in any civilized nation in the world.
It was a high time for Imran khan to join Qadri to put pressure for electoral reforms but he missed the train. Now I can bet PTI might get 5-10 NA seats max under current system. Tomorrow they’ll be moaning in press conferences about corrupt practices and no one will listen to them. PTI has been encircled by status quo oldies like Qureshi, Hashmi and Tareen etc who’re doing more bad than good. Sad!!!
Agree with ahmed !!!
n 1 request for PTI .. dont ever use the name of reform and revolution again in our country…
Can you tell what he has achieved from this sit-in. He spent last 5 days in the heated container whereas poor people face the harsh weather. At the end assemblies would in march and elections would be held in 90 days…it is already in the constitution. All this was a drama
“He spent last 5 days in the heated container whereas poor people face the harsh weather.”
“Rank has it’s privileges.”
Ever bad decision by imran khan to refuse join the rally. he is the man who always talk about change reform but when time appear take step back. Mark my words imran khan will be the 1st man after 2013 elections that who will say ” fair election nai thy ” HATS OF TO QADRI
That’s what I said. Imran will be the biggest loser after elections, not Qadri. Imran’s sick advisers are fooling him around. He’s dreaming about revolution or clean sweep while sitting on the fence, no way 5-10 NA seats max and he’ll sit in the opposition for next 5 years..
yes indeed. IK, Jamaat Islami, both seem to favour corrupt politicians over the people right to Justice.
have u ever thought may be all this drama was just to discredit IK.
He has the right to use those words. He has worked and struggled for this cause.
IMRAN is a looser, always was ans always will be.
and mr. winner what have u achieved for the ppl.
This is really tragic for Pakistan as religious leaders like qadri supporters of military rule which is probably more corrupt and unaccountable and authoritarian being allowed and swaying public opinion in Pakistan is needed is fundamental changes in electoral process to elect clean politicians as advocated by JP in India where corruption is rampant in election process and criminal elements are dominating and I am sure same is happening in Pakistan.clean thinkers like NFP should lead to clean system.This fellow Qadri lives in Canada and supports corrupt milatary leaders crushing democracy .He should start a party and contest elections without buying votes and clean the system if he so desires.
Very well said kausik. It is a great tragedy that kausik (who I think is from India) knows Pakistanis’ problems better than Pakistanis. Our nation is too divided to converge on anything. In this game of narrow minded, egos of Pakistanis, even the Constitution of Pakistan gets trampled. Sad state of affairs. No single person can correct our nation. Please stop looking for a miracle man. Let us work together and get out of this mess that we are stuck in using powers of unity and determination. It may take time but it is entirely possible and that is the only way in my humble opinion.
Governments in both the countries are same. Full of corrupt and shrewd politicians. Even Anna Hazare led similar kinda crusade in India. He too wanted to talk direct with Prime Minister. And the PM sent his emissaries to talk. When it came to implementing the suggestions, govt backtracked and fooled everyone. Govt will never accept anything which stops or checks corruption because this is a direct self conflict.
While I applaud for him for organizing the masses, this entire Million Man March was a complete sham. How can you continue to give deadlines and then continue to extend them? And then to top it all off, how can you suddenly reach a solution so cleverly named the “Islamabad Resolution”? All seems a bit too dramatic and a bit too staged? If we just step back and think, Qadri was a nobody just a few months back and he is now motivating the masses– Please, give me a break!
Before he started his LONG DRIVE or his own so called LONG MARCH, he was a HUSSAINI LASHKAR and going for whatever, but now looks HE HAS A SULAH ISLAMABAD IN THE LIKE OF SULAH HUDDAIYBIA with the looters, robbers of Pakistan that they will follow this cleric lead for the reformation and new government of Pakistan. Allah hum gharib Pakistanioon kay haaal par reham farma or in MUFAHYAMATI SIYASI KIRDAROOON KI SIYASI MUFAHAYMATOON SAY BACHA AMEN SUMA AMEN
business as usual folks
So true all the MUFAHAYMATI CHARACTERS agree on a new scheme to save PAKISTAN. Do not believe me see the characters around this great Canadian Scholar all the same and he is so proud to announce he has achieved his ambition long drive and will dictate his whims on all of Pakistan—————- So God please us the POOR PAKISTAN from foreign nationals. AMEEN —— enough is enough. If you cannot beat them JOIN THEM with an accord.
Shame on us as a Nation. We all nothing but mounsters and munafiqs. This country should be called “Islamic Republic of Pakistan”. It should be called “Badmash Republic of Pakistan”.
The agreement is between present Government and Tahreeh e Minhaj Ul Quran. The main point of concern is that how this agreement would be binding on the interim Government .