No free elections till ECP reforms: Raheeq

Saturday, March 09, 2013 - Mandi Bahauddin—Leader of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Dr Raheeq Ahmed Abbasi has said election would not be held in a free and transparent manner unless the election commission was not reformed according to the provisions laid down in the constitution. He was addressing a convention of PAT workers here on Friday. He said present election commission will not be able to work independently to block thieves, tax evaders and looters from contesting the election and there was a strong apprehension among the people that if election was held under the present election commission the same persons who had been looting national resources and exploiting the public with slogan of democracy would return to assembly and continue their malpractices.

In our country, he said outside the courts balance of justice is displayed but inside things happen different. SC turned down petition filed by TMQ Chief Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri, on the ground that his loyalty was suspect for holding dual nationality which was questionable. He said his party was struggling to end the era of injustice, exploitation of the innocent citizens of the country by handful moneyed people who over the period had established monopoly over national resources. They take part in politics to promote their own interests and welfare of public is not on their agenda. When they say they would not let the democracy derail it means that they do not want democracy which allows public participation in making decisions. He said holding of election is not his party compulsion.

It was the compulsion of those who want to return to assemblies through stereotyped election system. He said 23 Dec public meeting at Minar-e-Pakistan Lahore arranged by TMQ to welcome their chief had jolted the rulers. Long March on 14 Jan and the sit-in at Islamabad had opened eyes of the rulers. He said Tahir-ul-Qadri had been recognized as great leader of Muslims and his struggle spread over last 32 years was bearing fruits in form of increase in his followers who had created awareness among the public about their rights. He said on 17 March another public meeting would be held at Liaqat Bagh Rawalpindi that would be attended by millions, where our chief would expose the true faces of the corrupt rulers.

Earlier PAT workers welcomed Dr Raheeq Abbasi at Sat Sira and brought him in a big procession at the place of meeting. At the end of meeting Dr Raheeq asked local leaders of PAT to bring two hundred persons including women from each union council to attend the meeting to be held at Rawalpindi on 17 March instant. There are 65 union councils in this district and if 200 persons from each union council participate in the meeting their strength would be 13000 from this district.