Foreign Policy: Pakistan’s Wildcard

• March 15, 2013

Qadri might play an even more significant and constructive role over the long run by choosing not to contest elections. As an outside voice favoring reform, religious moderation, and better governance, Qadri would offer a glimmer of hope for a future in which Pakistani opposition figures hold their nation's leaders accountable to the nation's constitution and laws. That would represent a genuine, farsighted contribution to the maturation of democracy in Pakistan, the best hope for long-term economic development and stability of the sort that would render Pakistan a far less dangerous and fragile state. read more...

The News: A 'major operation' imperative for change: Dr Qadri

• March 13, 2013

Dr Qadri talking to press at the Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport said as long as the corrupt rulers were at the helms of the state the scourge of terrorism would thrive in Pakistan. Going forward Qadri feared the elections, if held under the existing “rotten” system, would break Pakistan apart. “A major surgery is required to clear the resident malignance so that a change for the better may come about”, said he. Replying to a question, Dr Qadri said he would announce his future line of action during a public rally at Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi, on March 17. read more...

Elections should be held on May 15 to ensure 14-day scrutiny: PAT

• March 12, 2013

President of Pakistan Awami Tehreek Dr Raheeq Abbasi has said that the elections should be held on May 15 to make way for the pre-poll scrutiny of the candidates within 14 days. He asked the government to convene an assembly session for approval of ROPA Amendment Bill, adding that the President should sign the bill into law. He said that the government’s delegation and Federal Minister for Law and Justice promised to fix 14-day scrutiny period during their media interaction after holding a meeting with Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri. He said that the ECP continued to shift its stance which created doubts. read more...

Perpetrators of Badami Bagh incident be tried under anti-terrorism law: PAT

• March 12, 2013

Islam is a religion of peace and love. The Holy Prophet (SAW) guaranteed the complete protection of life, honour and property of the non-Muslims citizens in an Islamic state. Those miscreants who are involved in Badami Bagh tragedy have nothing to do essence of Islamic teachings and Pakistan. Such miscreants and mischief mongering elements should be tried under anti-terrorism law and exemplary punishment meted out. read more...

PAT & MQI protest attack on Christian community in Lahore

• March 10, 2013

The hundreds of workers belonging to PAT and MQI took out a demonstration to protest acts of vandalism and setting the houses of Christian community ablaze in Joseph Colony in Punjab. The protesters expressed their solidarity with the members of Christian community and said that these acts were a blot on the face of the country. They dubbed the incidents as a grave conspiracy to undermine the cosmopolitan, multi-cultural and plural character of the Pakistani society. read more...

Badami Bagh incident an attempt to undermine basis of Pakistan: Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri

• March 9, 2013

Branding the Badami Bagh tragedy as a grave conspiracy against Pakistan, Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has condemned the act of vandalism and setting of houses of Christian community ablaze. He said that terrorism and Pakistan could not go together. He said that time to decide was now. read more...

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri asks ECP to show spine

• March 8, 2013

It is important for the Election Commission to fix 30-day scrutiny period for pre-poll clearance of the candidates interested to contest upcoming polls. It is in this manner that Articles 62 and 63 can be implemented in letter and spirit. Only a powerful Election Commission can stop the corrupt elements from taking part in elections. read more...

No free elections till ECP reforms: Raheeq

• March 9, 2013

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. read more...

PAT slams political parties for lack of effective anti-terror strategy

• March 4, 2013

Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi, President of Pakistan Awami Tehreek, has said that interpreting the incidents of terrorism in terms of being a law and order problem is tantamount to underestimating the potency of challenge, which reflects the lack of preparedness and ability to take on the monster which is eating into vitals of our state and society. He said that legislation was done for five years to protect interests of the privileged few. He further said that the Abbas Town tragedy in Karachi proved that the political parties did not have any solution or courage to deal with terrorism. read more...

Isphahani Road, Karachi, bomb blasts strongly condemned

• March 4, 2013

The patron-in-chief of Pakistan Awami Tehreek, Shaykh-ul-Islam, Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, flayed the deadly bomb blasts at Isphahani Road, Karachi. He said the terrorists have no link with any religion, and they are the worst enemies of humanity. There is no room for extremism and terrorism in Islam. Unfortunately, our society is burning in the fire of extremism, and it seems there is no strategy to counter it. The government has utterly failed to make any policy in this connection; clinging on to power has been the end-all and be-all of the rulers. read more...