I remain on front-foot of struggle against corruption & violation of human rights: Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri

While talking to media at the Heathrow Airport, PAT Chairman Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has said that he is neither aware of the aims and objectives of the PTI’s sit-in scheduled for Nov 2 nor did he get any invitation in this regard to date. He, however, added in the same breath that the moral and political support of PAT is with the PTI. He said that new warrants are issued each time he travels. He said that he continues to stay on the front foot and there is no question of his going on the back-foot.

Dr Qadri said that in-house change is not going to make any difference, the overhauling of the system is required. He said that there is no democracy in the country, adding that monarchy continues to rule the roost. He said that Parliament is blind and deaf which is unable to spot killings of innocent people in Model Town and the Panama leaks. He said that we would not go back from our demand of Qisas till the last breath of our lives, adding that we know that justice will not be provided as long as the present rulers are in power but struggle for justice will continue unabated. He said that the purpose of his journey abroad is to raise the Model Town issue at the human rights forums and to seek justice. He said that he would take briefing from the law firm, adding that the case is in the last stage of finalization.

The PAT Chairman was accorded a very warm welcome at the London airport. The PAT UK chapter workers were there to receive their leader.

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri stated that we want purposeful and result-oriented protest. We do not want to tire our workers by holding purposeless rallies. He made it clear once again that he would not bow his head before the oppressors. He said that the announcement about the second phase of the Qisas movement will be made at an appropriate time and he is well aware of the timing.

Responding to a question about the PTI protest, Dr Qadri said that he is not aware of the duration of the sit-in and protest being staged by PTI. He however asked as to what will happen if the resignation does not come nor is accountability held. He asked whether the institutions such as NAB, FIA, and FBR hold accountability of the rulers. He said that it was the PAT that raised voice against corruption, rigging and oppressive system for the first time. He said that media and the people at large would still remember mammoth public gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan on Dec 22, 2012 and the long march of January 2013. He said that we also made a demand of scrutiny of candidates under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution and made people learn these constitutional provisions by heart.

The PAT Chairman said that without reforms from top to bottom, real democracy and the system of justice would not be established. He said that the rulers are fooling the nation on national issues including Kashmir. They have no vision or policy. Their only concern is to loot and plunder state resources. He said that the blood of innocent people in Model Town would result in end of the government, adding that he would not mind rendering the ultimate sacrifice of his life in the struggle for people’s rights.