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Today's Paper | November 18, 2024

Published 18 Aug, 2014 06:23pm

Qadri announces 'grand' expansion of protests

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri announced the expansion of the Inqilab march in the form of multiple protests across the country.

“Whether Sunni or Shia, Deobandi or Barelvi, religious minded or secular, from any location or ethnicity…from this evening onward, all groups will start protesting.”

The PAT chief claimed that raids had been conducted at the homes of Majlis-i-Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) workers because the group had announced on Sunday that they would take out protests in support of Qadri. MWM Sindh chapter general secretary Allama Mukhtar Imami had announced that the MWM would stage sit-ins from Monday on the main thoroughfares and highways in support of ‘Inquilab march’ of the PAT.


A round of praise


Qadri also took time out to praise the PTI on their "revolution", claiming the PAT and the PTI movements were working towards the same end goal.

"I say Zindabad to the PTI workers...they are our brothers. I congratulate Imran on announcing a two-day deadline" he said.

Tahirul Qadri also applauded his supporters’ commitment to the cause.

“Everyone has praised the discipline and resolve of the Inqilab march,” he said.


Criticism aplenty


The PAT chief proceeded to lambast the government over alleged corruption, failures and conspiracies against the PAT. His highly charged diatribe was interrupted occasionally by chants of “Go Nawaz go!”.

He also criticized the Sindh government for its inefficiencies in addressing the needs of the people, particularly minorities. He called on "all Sindhis and Baloch" to join the movement, outlining how their "rulers have failed them".

Qadri alleged that the government had informed him of threats to his life from several different terrorist groups, yet had “jammed” his car, making it impossible to enter.

He explained to the "Western democratic world," that people were out on the streets due to "a complete lack of justice".

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