In a tit-for-tat response to opposition leader in National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah for describing Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) as an undemocratic entity, Dr Tahirul Qadri Wednesday warned PPP co-chairman to "rein him in a bit; otherwise things would become much bitter." Referring to Khursheed Shah's speech in a joint session of parliament, Qadri said: "With due apology to Mr Zardari and other senior leaders like Aitzaz, I would like to say that they must shut his [Shah] mouth or else I've too much to say as I've just picked up one grain of rice from the cooker".
The criticism from opposition leader came as shock to PAT chief who in his strongly-worded speech plainly warned Shah: "Mr Shah, how dare you call PAT an undemocratic entity. Just shut your mouth or this matter will have far-reaching effects which will be difficult to handle".
Terming the opposition leader a 'covert terrorist', he accused him of patronising terrorist groups in Sindh. "Shah is bullying PAT to get sympathy of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif so that he can shield massive corruption cases pending with NAB ," he alleged. "Before levelling any allegation on PAT Shah must know it was PPP that disintegrated Pakistan by refusing to accept a clear majority of Sheikh Mujeebur Rehman and instead told him [Mujeeb] that 'we will rule here and you there'. This is your history and now you call me undemocratic," Qadri retorted.
He claimed that the late Benazir Bhutto was a life-time member of Minhaj-ul-Quran International - a charitable organisation run by Qadri. He recalled that after the martyrdom of Benazir, Asif Ali Zardari telephoned him after taking over as president, telling him that the life-time membership certificate of Minhaj-ul-Quran bearing his signature was still on display in Bilawal House.
He continued that he was the first president of Pakistan Awami Etihad and Benizar Bhutto struggled against the then corrupt regime of Nawaz Sharif under his chairmanship. Qadri also took a jibe on Pakhtunkhawa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai, who has also been ridiculing the PAT-PTI leadership for staging anti-government sit-ins.
He said a 'chadar-clad' Achakzai has suddenly emerged as the most democratic politician, completely forgetting his past track record of 'anti-Pakistan activities.' "What can I say about the chadar-clad saviour of democracy...when Quaid-e-Azam's residency in Ziarat (Balochistan) was attacked, he was the man who celebrated that attack saying a symbol of colonial power has been erased. This is your real face so stop teaching me patriotism as I'm a true Pakistani and not a traitor," Qadri lambasted the nationalist politician by repeatedly accusing him of taking anti-army and anti-Pakistan stance.
He said that scores of Achkzai's close relatives are enjoying lucrative positions in Balochistan while his brother is occupying the coveted position of governor Balochistan. Qadri reiterated that the attack on Pakistan Television (PTV) building was orchestrated by a 'kitchen cabinet' of PML-N through their "Gullu Butts" and Pervez Rashid, Khwaja Asif and Saad Rafique were the main architects of 'dirty game' to blackmail peaceful PAT-PTI protesters.
"I solemnly said Tuesday we did not attack the PTV. We did not ask anyone to enter the building. We don't even recognise the faces of those who barged into PTV building and above all I'd no idea where the PTV building is located," he maintained. Qadri questioned why those mentioned in the Model Town FIR had not been arrested so far. He demanded that all accused people nominated in the FIR should be arrested as per law and their names should be placed on ECL so they could not escape the country.
"A judicial commission has given a report through which it held Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif responsible for the Model Town killings. Why the judicial commission report has not been made public," he asked. Qadri asked his workers to vacate the premises of Parliament lawns which they have been camping since Saturday last. "All those people who are camping inside the Parliament House lawns will move outside the building by tomorrow as ordered by the Chief Justice of Pakistan and not by the government," he declared.
Qadri vowed that he would stay in the federal capital till the resignations of the Sharif brothers. He said that he would stand hand in hand with PTI chairman Imran Khan as they are fighting for a common cause, i.e., restoration of real democracy in the country. He urged the people of twin cities of Islamabad/Rawalpindi to help their brethren who are fighting for the future of Pakistan. "Come forward and strengthen the hands of protesters. Send blankets, medicines, toys for children, tents, food and whatever you can as we are not going to disperse till the resignation of Nawaz Sharif," he added.
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