Plane diversion was Rafiq’s idea
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RAWALPINDI: Initially the government had two options to get Dr Tahirul Qadri to Lahore once he had arrived at Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIA) on Monday morning – either use a Fokker ATR27 aeroplane to airlift him to Lahore or a helicopter of the Punjab government.
However, both these options were ignored when Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq suggested that the flight not be allowed to land at BBIA and be diverted to Lahore, sources said.
However, before Rafiq’s suggestion was made and accepted, as many as 175 Elite Force commandoes along with 17 female commandos in plainclothes were brought to the airport at around 3am on Monday.
Related: Qadri threatens to topple govt, vows to lead 'revolution'
The Elite Force, which was formed in 1997-98 by then chief minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif, was led by DSP Rana Shahid and DSP Raja Taifoor. They took positions on the apron of the airport (where the Emirates flight was to land); the Fokker and the helicopter were also parked nearby.
According to a security official, the Fokker ATR27 was to be used if Dr Qadri agreed to be transported to Lahore but if he resisted then the plan was to bundle him on to the helicopter.
The Pakistan International Airlines Fokker, which was to be used for airlifting Dr Qadri to Lahore, was scheduled to fly to Skardu on Monday but the flight was cancelled to free the aircraft.
“In case he did not agree, Dr Qadri was to be picked up by the Elite Force commandos and put in the helicopter,” a security official revealed on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to talk to the media.
Also read: Qadri, 1,300 supporters booked on terror charges
But as is now well known, this plan was changed at the last moment.
Commissioner Rawalpindi division and Regional Police Officer were both present at the airport to monitor the situation.
Dawn has learnt that the railways minister suggested the diversion plan.
As a result, the pilot was not given clearance for landing at BBIA; PML-Q leaders and the PAT workers waiting for Dr Qadri were not aware of what was happening till 8.50am when the flight’s diversion to Lahore was announced.
In the meantime, the aircraft remained in the air.
Once it was told to fly to Lahore, the airport authorities said that the plane was diverted for security concerns.
Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2014
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Comments (108) Closed
Jun 24, 2014 06:07am
it seems Nawaz fate is sealed with plain, trains and automobiles
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Jun 24, 2014 06:07am
Once an idiot .. always an idiot. The curse of Pakistan is that these idiots are at the Helm of affairs. They give a bad name not only to their party but now to their sect/cult as a whole. What was he even thinking when he suggested like a pharaoh to divert an international carrier flight and play with their operations and flight schedule.
Please stop acting like Pharaoh and come out of your 'security obsession' bubble. STOP making the 'security' excuse. Already you have run out of excuses.
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Jun 24, 2014 06:09am
Government of cowards.Are we being ruled by MEN or some other species
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Jun 24, 2014 06:15am
Nothing but the "teething troubles" of infant democracy..
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Jun 24, 2014 06:30am
Mr. Tahir-ul Qadri coming from Canada thats why he asked for Governor's bullet proof car so that Air Conditioning works.. dharna in emirates air line who will pay for his action?
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Jun 24, 2014 06:32am
A wise suggestion and it's implementation that helped to defuse the tense situation at Islamabad Airport.
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Jun 24, 2014 06:32am
A wise suggestion and it's implementation that helped to defuse the tense situation at Islamabad Airport.
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Jun 24, 2014 06:33am
Fine. Let him pay the damages sought by Emirates.
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Jun 24, 2014 06:35am
PML (N) did the same thing with Musharraf. I dont support Qadri in any way , but far as I am concerned this is terrorism. You can not divert planes like this.
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Jun 24, 2014 06:35am
It means the Govt has hijacked the plane n there should be FIR against govt n Mr Rafiq. Also the other passengers specially the over seas Pakistanis should demand compensation at least these so called politicians do not own the country.
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Jun 24, 2014 06:37am
Plane diversion was a dumb idea and could not be carried out without Nawaz Sharif blessings. He also tried to divert Pervez Musharraf's plane back in 1999 but the his executive order got back fired on his face. I never believed he is a man with any vision . I think Nawaz Sharif is creating trouble for his government by making such decisions.
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Jun 24, 2014 06:40am
The idea to commit a crime may come from a criminal but those in the position of authority and power that accept and execute it are not innocent - they are bigger criminals.
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Jun 24, 2014 06:53am
Try to come up with a plan for the welfare of the public, Mr. Genius. You don't get paid for diverting planes.
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Jun 24, 2014 06:56am
Rafiq and Sharif's should pay damages to emirates airline from their own pockets. Not from the state bank, and thanks for
shattering Pakistan CAA's goodwill.
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Jun 24, 2014 06:56am
Many people are criticizing TuQ. When you have rulers like the two brothers, do we even have the right to criticize anyone else?
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Jun 24, 2014 07:01am
Is this the job of a railways minister?? Saad Rafiq should concentrate on making railways a better institution rather than suggesting solutions for tackling Qadri. Let others do their job while you should do yours.
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Jun 24, 2014 07:08am
Did't Sharif learned from his past experience, when he diverted Musharaf's aeroplane and later he wrote apology with his nose.
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Jun 24, 2014 07:14am
@imran Absolutely, well said.. They divert a perfectly legitimate and genuine flight to Lahore for the simple reason that Qadri has scared the daylight out of the ruling party, PML-N. They could not care less for the inconvenience and hardship caused to rest of all the passengers traveling on the same flight. What kind of impression are these so called "peoples representatives or law makers" giving to the world.
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Jun 24, 2014 07:15am
Nawaz knows how to divert planes to different destination. He had learnt it when he was diverting Musharraf in 1998.
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Jun 24, 2014 07:20am
Diversion of a scheduled flight should be a crime. Mr. Khawaja can be and should be charged with the crime after he leaves the government. These men think they are above the law?
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Jun 24, 2014 07:21am
Acting like this, government is showing it's own deficiencies and insecurity. Tahirul Qadri is scoring all the points, due to the foolish moves by the government. The biggest question is , who is paying for these games ? Obviously taxpayers, bills payers. Just wait till we get the bill from Emirates.
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Jun 24, 2014 07:22am
No respect for law and mindset is clear from this decision.
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Jun 24, 2014 07:22am
Yesterday a funny idea was presented by some one call Siddique Farkook and today Mr Khawaja Saad Rafiq what a team of fools
Can any one ask this minister that do you have idea what all this cost to the Pakistan and our record in the community of airline
industry.
For the information of this wise man except few Middle eastern airlines no airline like to go Pakistan and this few airline have to think twice if they cancel or minimize flight to Pakistan. Sad
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Jun 24, 2014 07:25am
@Shah are you not reading the news... security barrier was breached... if a terrorist had struck the gov would have been blamed
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Jun 24, 2014 07:49am
A wise decision. Good job.
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Jun 24, 2014 08:03am
Damages paid to Emirates, canceled flight to Skardu, helicopter, elite force, thousands of police, long ads on TV channels explaining why the airports were closed..... Nation's money well spent. Keep it going kings.
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Jun 24, 2014 08:04am
If I am a passenger on the plane I will sue Emirate who can go after PAK CAA to recover damages. I will take the case to a US court to maximize the penalty. I will never fly emirates planes again if do not file a case against Pakistan CAA.
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Jun 24, 2014 08:14am
Nonsense idea ! Extremely irresponsible!
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Jun 24, 2014 08:24am
This minister must go back to Lahore.
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Jun 24, 2014 08:26am
If the nation again elects or selects Sharifs brothers in the next election then there is no one to blame but themselves.
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Jun 24, 2014 08:30am
@Najma there are such rules available. U must file apolication to chief justice of pakistan to take a suo moto case.this will serve your purpose.
Regards.
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Jun 24, 2014 08:31am
Please can you also pay damages, that soon will be on your way from Emirates.
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Jun 24, 2014 08:42am
Idea of the year
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Jun 24, 2014 08:53am
Why is government interfering in PIA, they had no right to cancel the flight to Skardu. How many times do I need to emphasize the importance of independent institutions.
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Jun 24, 2014 09:00am
What the heck is a Railway Minister doing stepping out of it's domain and diverting an International flight with foreign passengers on board? Does he understand repercussions of this action? Pakistan can potentially be sued for this. I am surprised no hijacking charges have been files against the GOP, specifically the man in question from countries whose passengers were on board. Though I am not a supporter of Qadri or any of these jokers but he is right in saying current political class has turned the country into a personal fiefdom and taking turns in looting while amassing wealth. You often hear the politicians say; It's our tun to 'rule' and not our turn to "serve" which is indicative of the fact they do not understand the Constitution in it's true spirit and what their duties are as member of Parliament. To them honor is a word used only in suppression and killing of a weak woman.
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Jun 24, 2014 09:11am
Ooops....playing with planes is a bad omen for the Sharif's
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Jun 24, 2014 09:19am
Why the goons are running free in Pakistan? Can someone start the accountability in Pakistan, Please
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Jun 24, 2014 09:40am
In next election PML-N election logo will be Plane :)
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Jun 24, 2014 09:44am
Which diversion? 1998?
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Jun 24, 2014 10:09am
They did it with PM before and denied later that they diverted the plane and yet the repeat it again with Tahir ul Qadri.
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Jun 24, 2014 10:28am
Make him Aviation Minister too..Saad Rocks...
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Jun 24, 2014 10:32am
What do you expect from a Pendoo
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Jun 24, 2014 10:44am
I think Khawaja Saad has planned to spend his remaining life in prison
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Jun 24, 2014 10:46am
@Ghazanfar Those who illegaly diverted an international flight and made the Pakistan laughing stock for the whole world
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Jun 24, 2014 10:48am
well done Mr. Saad.. this was the only way to break the crowd that had appeared at the airport only to cause chaos.
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Jun 24, 2014 10:49am
And those elite 175 men and 17 women had a good thrashing by PAT mob. I think SS rightly asked for security by Army.
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Jun 24, 2014 10:55am
Khwaja sahib you should keep your utmost attention towards the betterment of railways, not to divert the plane routes. As a matter of fact, who gave him the authority to take the decision. Look at the railway, I have never seen any major change in its improvement since the inception of the government. Diverting plane routes or interfering in the matters of CAA won't bring any fruitful result. Nevertheless, the busy schedule of world renowned airline, "Emirates" has been disturbed. Well, I urge the said airline to take this matter seriously.
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Jun 24, 2014 11:16am
He should pay the fines to Emirates and resign.
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Jun 24, 2014 11:17am
ATR (Aerei da Trasporto Regionale) and Fokker are two completely different aircraft manufacturers saying Fokker ATR27 is like saying Mitsubishi Corolla or Toyota Civic
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Jun 24, 2014 11:31am
Mr. Khawaja Rafiq should focus on Railways only, it was the duty of Interior Minister to tackle this situation. Please for God sake PML-N run the government in a matured manner. Do not think people will forgive u for your shortcomings in next election if not rigged. Please give details of this extra burden on tax payers for the diversion of the plane.
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Jun 24, 2014 11:38am
@nasir LMAO...very very funny
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Jun 24, 2014 11:39am
It is going to be a shame if emirates does not take legal action against the government and tuq.
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Jun 24, 2014 11:46am
Any way decision to divert plane to Lahore airport was a wise decision to save two days of thousands of people that TQ could consume in case he was allowed to travel by road from Islamabad to Lahore. Well done Government. TQ may be tried to hijack the plane for five hours or so.
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Jun 24, 2014 11:47am
Why a railway minister has to get involved in everything?
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Jun 24, 2014 11:56am
This is a clear case of aircraft high jack which should be condemned and punished under international law.
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Jun 24, 2014 11:59am
The government of Nawaz Sharif though "elected" are politically and administratively inept. NS has been given three opportunities and it seems each time he unlearns something useful. And precisely because I am not a Tahir-ul-Qadri fan and would not like to see him in a position of political power I will not vote NS because he might make it possible due to his lack of political acumen.
The hall mark of NS's success would have been if this episode of TUQ did not create yet another unmanageable political monster out of a non-political entity and event.
If NS thinks his immense wealth and "Gullu Butts" are replacement for accountability and good governance then he is in for a rude shock... even in a broken and backward country like Pakistan.
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Jun 24, 2014 12:08pm
I hope he will not decide to run the train on deserts and roads rather than tracks.
God Bless Pak Railways :)
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Jun 24, 2014 12:17pm
Nations wealth diversion was whos idea.Thanks for making us a joke as a kaum in the entire world.Looks like some miscreants running the country.Does any one politician has a vision to lead the country .Khuda ke waastey ...if u cannot do any good do no harm. Atleast give back the pakistan of 1947.
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Jun 24, 2014 12:20pm
what a genius!!!should have been taught at MIT and awarded a noble prize for great ideas.
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Jun 24, 2014 12:20pm
Planes get diverted all the time in US due to security concerns or unruly passengers. I don't think Emirates or any of the passengers have a case here. With that said, we all know it was a political stunt but to prove in a court of law would be very difficult. Morally though, the Government should compensate both the airline and the passengers for this inconvenience.
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Jun 24, 2014 12:34pm
Emirates should file a lawsuit against him instead of CAA.
The actions represents mentality. He should rather spend time focusing on putting PR back on track (which I am afraid he is incapable of). What he has to say, now that he has almost copied the action of the very same person which he still deplores.
It is very unfortunate for Pakistan and for his party that it has leaders like him who thinks from their mouth.
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Jun 24, 2014 12:35pm
Times have changed. Mentality hasn't.
They still like diverting planes knowing that the last attempt caused them their government.
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Jun 24, 2014 12:46pm
Saad ! railways to sahi ker lo phir koi mashware dia karo .............
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Jun 24, 2014 12:57pm
According to Nawaz Sharif diverting planes is the top weapon. Last time he did it (Saad Rafiq is just a pawn, the orders must have come from Nawaz Sharif), his govermenet was toppled. I guess his days are numbered. Start counting..
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Jun 24, 2014 12:58pm
What a man !
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Jun 24, 2014 01:03pm
@Azmeen
Please wake up and get out of the well you have been living in.
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Jun 24, 2014 01:25pm
I never expected such a vague action by the Federal & Punjab government, a simple thing made difficult that brought countrywide uproar & international insult. What was the harm in letting Dr.Qadri landing in Islamabad and then driving to Lahore. Surprisingly, decisions are made on a single view recommendation as explained by the railway minister Saad Rafiq.
Very dangerous scenario. The current government has failed to show maturity.
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Jun 24, 2014 01:33pm
This is poor journalism. An esteemed paper like Dawn should not make the mistake of writing "Fokker" and "Fokker ATR 27" (paragraph 4 & 5); it again repeats PIA Fokker (paragraph 6). Fokker does not mean a "propeller plane" but is instead a brand name and so is ATR; the Fokker Friendship-27 (or F-27) was phased out several years ago when the ATR (abbreviation for Aerei da Trasporto Regionale or Avions de transport r
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Jun 24, 2014 01:40pm
I call him Mr Diversion
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Jun 24, 2014 01:42pm
I opine that same bunch of advisers were there with Nawaz Sharif when his earlier govt was toppled i.e. bad decisions which are continuing. Nawaz Sharif may get the same fate again.
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Jun 24, 2014 01:45pm
This is what happened when you have uneducated people at the helm of the country. It wasn't PIA but an international airline, what if they sue Pakistan tomorrow? Is Saad Rafiq going to pay from his own pocket? Ofcourse not, it will be tax payers money.
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Jun 24, 2014 01:53pm
I believe the government's decision to not allow landing of plane in Islamabad was sensible. In a sense that Qadri is a good scene creator. Secondly, no matter what we say Capital remains capital. No matter Karachi is blocked or anything else, Lahore is facing problems, but if the capital is disturbed, all your Country's image is drowned in a second. So the reason of diversion wasn't bad enough. Realizing what the people had been doing in the capital before the landing of the plane. These things must have increased if the plane has landed. But the immaturity of the Govt. by which the act was carried out ruined everything, I believe.
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Jun 24, 2014 01:56pm
The message went to foreign air line is that when you give committment to any passenger destination of any city in pakistan you never ensure that you could fulfill you commitment. The plain might land anywhere in pakistan, pessengers discretion is advised.
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Jun 24, 2014 02:18pm
With all the hijacking facts people still vote for PMLN, diverting a plane probably is a crime so the PMLN government should be tried in court just like Musharraf did when his plane was diverted. PTI and MQM would never do these sorts of things and any propaganda against any party should be based on facts.
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Jun 24, 2014 02:26pm
@Azmeen Typical-convict the victim and let the perpetrators go free.
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Jun 24, 2014 02:27pm
nature is allowing them (PML(N) to do the same mistake, they did in 1999 with mushraaf and the consequence they had to face for 10 years in exile - this time they will go forever in exile
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Jun 24, 2014 02:39pm
Mr Saud please remind me how the railways are running.....i thought you were the crook sorry i mean minister of the railways..
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Jun 24, 2014 02:56pm
It will be disastrous if Emirates stops flying to Pakistan altogether.
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Jun 24, 2014 03:02pm
Mr Imran you are right
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Jun 24, 2014 03:12pm
there is no such aircraft as Fokker ATR 27, it should be ATR 42
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Jun 24, 2014 03:59pm
That's the result of being ruled by a family Dynasty.... In the whole process there was no thought of country image, impact on foreign airlines (very few left), and waste of ordinary Pakistani finances as the passengers diverted to Lahore will be flown on Pakistani tax money not personal accounts that are safe in UK KSA and Swiss
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Jun 24, 2014 04:14pm
I don't understand why the government and media are giving such importance to such an unimportant person from a foreign land
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Jun 24, 2014 04:15pm
According to Javed Chaudhry, whenever Khawaja Saad Rafique is confused, he speak in "Punjabi"
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Jun 24, 2014 04:17pm
It is unbelievable that Mr. Nawaz Sharif suffers from such amnesia. The last time he decided to divert a plane, he lost his job. Why is it so hard for people to learn from their mistakes?
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Jun 24, 2014 04:24pm
@A Rehman > Call in the army? Does SS want a new Sharif on the throne? No more PML-N is this solution
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Jun 24, 2014 04:25pm
@Shezad > People coming to Pakistan can always fly PIA, if and when its planes decide to take off.
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Jun 24, 2014 04:41pm
Bunch of jokers who are crooked as well. They should be placed in a circus to be viewed by the world.
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Jun 24, 2014 04:59pm
@Karachi Guy bhai we have become jokers in international community. U have diverted an international carrier not PIA.And what image you want to salvage by protecting islamabad..karachi attack has just brought business to complete hault.
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Jun 24, 2014 05:03pm
@BADurrani Absolutely spot on!
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Jun 24, 2014 05:09pm
I suggest CJP should take sumoto action against whosoever has taken the decision of diverting the plane and caused passengers and the airline to suffer.
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Jun 24, 2014 05:17pm
Stupid people come up with stupid ideas.
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Jun 24, 2014 05:22pm
Khawaja Saad Rafiq is the same guy who considers terrorists as innocent victims in incidents like Lal Masjid and Swat Operation. He stood against the state just so that he can score politically. He is one of many Jamaate Islami guys infiltrated in PMLN.
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Jun 24, 2014 05:24pm
@imran well said
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Jun 24, 2014 05:34pm
The simplest way was to deny him the Visa,after all he carries a Canadian passport !!
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Jun 24, 2014 05:43pm
@nasir (metro) buses!
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Jun 24, 2014 05:53pm
I asked this question once before, why do all the idiots of the world live in the sub-continent??...
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Jun 24, 2014 05:55pm
175 Elite Force commandoes along with 17 female commandos in plainclothes were brought to the airport at around 3am on Monday."
Tahir ul Qadri was heavily armed, needed all that fire power against him . Saad Rafique will pay Emirates from Railway budget.
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Jun 24, 2014 05:58pm
Whole country is a circus., run by clowns. They needed 170 'elite commandos to handle a mullah.
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Jun 24, 2014 06:21pm
People get leaders they deserve.
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Jun 24, 2014 07:12pm
Well done Saad Rafique.
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Jun 24, 2014 07:22pm
@Anupam He is a dual national he still holds Pakistani nationality how come any government bar any pakistani to visit his / her homeland ?
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Jun 25, 2014 10:42am
@nasir This is part of what is called "Basic Infrastructure development," a prerequisite for economic development of a country. Of course they should commit more funds for the important sectors like health and education.
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Jun 25, 2014 12:33pm
CAA has all the authority to guide airplanes under such circumstances. It was a wiser step to divert plane to Lahore TUQs eventual destination.
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Jun 25, 2014 01:16pm
The Right brothers invented the Plane and the Wrong brothers divert the plane.
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Jun 25, 2014 01:21pm
Har shaakh pe Gullu baitha hai anjam-e-gulistan kya hoga.
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Jun 26, 2014 03:14pm
Khawaja Saad talks tough but he showed his fear and weakness of PML-N by not properly dealing with Qadri and making a "showman".
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Jun 26, 2014 05:01pm
Brilliant Man Great Ideas , where did keep all this brilliance hidden for so long , great loss for Pakistan.
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Jun 27, 2014 01:09am
@ashfaq1 The barrier was breached hours after the plane diversion. Trying to incite chaos is also foolishness. Let's not support or dislike someone only on the basis of ones ethnicity!
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