Anti-government Pakistani cleric's plane diverted

• June 23, 2014

Pakistani authorities Monday denied permission to a plane carrying an anti-government religious leader to land at the Islamabad airport over security issues. Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri, who has been living in Canada, returned to Pakistan Monday by a flight of the Emirate Airlines to lead an anti-government protest, Xinhua reported. However, the flight which was scheduled to land at Islamabad's Benazir Bhutto International Airport around 8 a.m., was diverted to Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, confirmed the civil aviation authorities at Islamabad airport. read more...

Pakistan Diverts Cleric's Plane to Lahore

• June 23, 2014

Pakistan diverted a passenger plane carrying an anti-government cleric to Lahore on Monday out of security concerns, said an official, leading to a standoff in which the cleric refused for hours to get off the aircraft while it waited on the tarmac. The Pakistani cleric, Tahir-ul-Qadri, lives mostly in Canada but has a large following in his network of mosques and religious centers across Pakistan. Last year he threw the capital into crisis for days when he led rallies of thousands of people in the center of Islamabad to demand electoral reforms. read more...

Anti-government Pakistani cleric's plane diverted, clashes erupt

• June 23, 2014

Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri, who has been living in Canada, returned to Pakistan Monday by a flight of the Emirate Airlines to lead an anti-government protest, Xinhua reported. However, the flight which was scheduled to land at Islamabad's Benazir Bhutto International Airport around 8 a.m., was diverted to Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, confirmed the civil aviation authorities at Islamabad airport. Thousands of Qadri supporters gathered outside the airport to welcome their leader. read more...

Qadri lands in Lahore, will give ‘final call for revolution’

• June 24, 2014

LAHORE: Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Tahirul Qadri vowed revenge and asked his workers on Monday to wait for his ‘final call for revolution’, capping an eventful journey full of sharp turns and twists and a controversial plane diversion. “I’ll announce the final date for revolution after political consultations,” the cleric-cum-politician told his followers outside the Minhajul Quran headquarters, where 10 of his workers were shot dead on June 17. read more...

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri declares Zarb-e-Azb operation as Jihad, announces aid for IDPs

• June 24, 2014

LAHORE: Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) head Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri on Tuesday extended his support to ongoing military operation in North Waziristan for elimination of terrorists. Addressing a press conference here, Qadri said: “From this Friday, I appeal to everyone to stage peaceful rallies in support to Zarb-e-Azb.” “I completely support the army’s operation, ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ to stamp out terrorism,” he said. “The operation of Zarb-e-Azb by the Pak-Army is a jihad against terrorism.” read more...

Pakistan cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri returns to lead 'revolution' clashes erupt

• June 24, 2014

Tahir-ul-Qadri returned to Pakistan today after authorities diverted his Islamabad-bound flight to Lahore fearing unrest in the capital, as clashes between his supporters and police left many injured. Tahir-ul-Qadri, a 63-year-old cleric who drew tens of thousands of supporters for a sit-in protest here in January last year demanding electoral reforms, refused to come out of the plane in Lahore saying the aircraft should be taken to its original destination or the army take him in its protective custody. read more...

Dr Tahir ul Qadri is at it again!

• June 23, 2014

With such a situation, no sane local government would allow an important public figure to land in the area, become vulnerable to open threats and be the cause of added disturbance. Yes, in Dr Qadri’s case, the government may have had their own agenda to prevent him from landing in Islamabad. Whatever the case may be, Dr Qadri resides in Lahore and has a large following in all major cities, especially Lahore and Karachi. The airports, in both these cities, are located on the outskirts of the city and have the capacity to accommodate larger crowds. In light of that, wouldn’t it have been easier for Dr Qadri’s followers to come and welcome him in either Lahore or Karachi? read more...

Pro-Tahirul Qadri protests erupt in Pakistan as he lands in Lahore

• June 23, 2014

After hours of hovering over the runway, Qadri's fliht finally landed at the airport after he agreed to disembark the plane and go to his residence with Governor Punjab and under protection of his personal guards, said a tweet from his official Twitter account. read more...

Emirates Airline flight carrying Pakistan cleric diverted to Lahore

• June 24, 2014

DUBAI // An Emirates flight carrying a Canada-based Islamic cleric from Dubai to Islamabad was diverted this morning to Lahore airport. EK612, which was carrying Dr Tahir ul-Qadri and his supporters, was supposed to arrive in Islamabad this morning at 7.30am but Pakistani authorities asked the carrier to divert the flight. It was reported that police fired tear gas at Dr Qadri’s supporters, who had gathered at Islamabad airport. read more...

Clashes as prominent Pakistan cleric returns to lead 'revolution'

• June 23, 2014

Police fired tear gas as they clashed with supporters of a Canada-based cleric at Islamabad airport on Monday ahead of his return to lead what he has called an anti-government "revolution". Tahir-ul-Qadri, who drew tens of thousands of supporters to a sit-in protest in Islamabad in January last year, is due to arrive a week after eight people were killed when his followers clashed with police in the eastern city of Lahore. read more...