PAT to stage protests in 100 cities on Aug 20: Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri

Addressing the Workers Convention in Lahore yesterday, PAT Chairman Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has said that if the government tried to stop the peaceful protest of PAT on August 20, he himself will lead the campaign. He said that whenever the time of departure of any government nears, it starts attacking the freedom of speech. He said that the people’s voice will not be muzzled with the help of Pemra or the black law of Cybercrime Act. He said that we welcome the launch of the combing operation in Rawalpindi and demand that the scope of the operation should be extended to the whole of the province including Lahore. He asked as to who the PM is trying to fool be getting the news of annoyance published over the slow pace of implementation of the National Action Plan. He said that this drama of the PM is the biggest joke with the nation. He asked why it is that the first destination of the kidnappers and the accused involved in the grave crimes happens to be Faisalabad.

The PAT Lahore chapter leaders namely Ch. Muhammad Afzal Gujjar, Hafiz Ghulam Farid, Ishtiaq Hanif Mughal, Syed Farzand Ali Mashhadi, Tanveer Khan, Zohaib Farooq, Allama Muhammad Khalil Hanfi, Haji Furrakh Khan Qadri, Hafiz Muhammad Zahid, Ali Haider, Saima Ayub and Samreen also addressed the ceremony.

The hundreds of workers and leaders of the PAT attending the Convention pledged not to leave any stone unturned to make the protest movement launched by Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri successful.

Dr Qadri said that the Qisas and accountability movement will reach its destination. He said that our demand is the Qisas of the martyrs of Model Town tragedy and the transparent investigation into the Panama leaks, adding that this precisely is the demand of every citizen and political party of the country. He said that every movement which sought to bring about change had its origin in Lahore, further stating that the brave and courageous people of Lahore have woken up now. He said that the PM did not play his role to fully implement the 20-points of the NAP, which resulted in strengthening of the terrorists. He said that some elements would not let the NAP succeed because if terrorists were eliminated, their politics will end with them too.

The PAT Chairman said that the graves of the Saints, markets, hospitals, courts, schools, mosques, streets and Bazars were targeted across Pakistan but the priorities of the rulers have been to protect their businesses and power. He said that the PM and the members of his family violated the People’s Representation Act 1976 by concealing the facts regarding offshore companies in the nomination papers, adding that the PM and his son-in-law stand disqualified from their NA seats.

Dr Qadri said that protest demonstrations will be held in 100 cities including Lahore.

The PAT Lahore leaders criticized the government over its decision to privatize the schools and hospitals.