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Qadri threatens to topple govt, vows to lead 'revolution'
 [DAWN] Pakistain Awami Tehrik (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri...Pak politician, founder and head of Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran. He usually resides in Canada, but returns to Pakistain periodically to foam at the mouth and lead demonstrations. Depending on which way the wind's blowing, Qadri claims to be the author of Pak's blasphemy law. Other times he says it wasn't him... , a Canada based Islamic holy man, returned to Pakistain on Monday to try to start what he has called a "peaceful revolution" against the government, as his supporters engaged in violent festivities with police. He touched down in the eastern city of Lahore after his flight was diverted from Islamabad following violence at the capital's airport that police said left more than 70 of their officers injured. In January last year Qadri drew tens of thousands of people to a sit-in protest in Islamabad. His return comes at a sensitive time for the government, potentially adding to pressure on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf... . The military is in the midst of a major offensive against Talibs in the northwest, and nine people were killed when Qadri's followers clashed with police in Lahore a week ago. On Monday his supporters, armed with sticks and bricks, clashed with baton-wielding police at Islamabad's airport, where Qadri had been due to arrive on an Emirates flight. A front man for Islamabad police said more than 70 officers were maimed, with several suffering broken bones and head injuries. The plane was diverted to Lahore "to ensure the safety of the passengers and aircraft," according to a civil aviation official. But for several hours Qadri refused to get off. The 63-year-old demanded protection from the military before agreeing to disembark. He finally left the aircraft accompanied by Punjab provincial governor Mohammad Sarwar and opposition politician Chaudhry Pervaiz Ellahi. Qadri said he held the prime minister and his brother Shahbaz Sharif ...Pak dynastic politician, brother of PM Nawaz Sharif, chief minister of Punjab... , chief minister of Punjab, responsible for the killing of his party workers last week, comparing the pair to "Hitler and Mussolini". "I will Dire Revenge™ InshaAllah (God willing). I will Dire Revenge™ for the labourers, helpless, poor and deaders," he said at a Lahore hospital as he visited those maimed in last week's festivities. Addressing workers at his residence later, Qadri said he would "announce a date for revolution" shortly. "I will give a sudden call," he said. "The rulers will try to run away, but I won't let the looters run away." Posted by: Fred 2014-06-24 |
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