Frustrated Zardari, Imran wooing cautious Qadri to remove Shahbaz

Ansar Abbasi

By ISLAMABAD: After the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are anxious to see Shahbaz Sharif out of power,and to achieve this target they desperately want Dr Tahirul Qadri to use his street muscle. Qadri, however, is cautiously weighing his options in the light of his past experiences, both good and bad.

A security official source insists that Dr Qadri wants some “solid” assurances before going for the kill. However, the PAT sources confided to The News that Dr Sahib is not really keen in staging another sit-in but is devising a strategy which instead of benefitting others’ vested interest should help get justice for those Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) workers who were killed in the Model Town incident. It is said that so far the PAT chief did not get any signal to start agitation. On the basis of his 2014 experience, the PAT chief even otherwise is too cautious to believe anyone’s word.

Two key PAT leaders were approached, who, in their background discussion with this correspondent, agree that the party is not really keen in staging a sit-in. One of these leaders completely ruled it out while the other saw it as a less possible option, explaining that if the PAT decided for a protest it would have a different form. He added that if a decision is taken, this time the focus will be Lahore, not Islamabad.

One of these leaders denied that Dr Qadri had staged the 2014 sit-in following a wink from some “umpire” but explained that the interest of two parties at time meets at one point. The other leader, however, said that not only Dr Qadri had himself become extra-cautious after what he had experienced from 2014 sit-in, but there are also no “solid assurances” coming his way.The security official source also said that no such signal has been given to the PAT chief. The source also confirm that after his trust level was shattered in the past, Dr Qadri is really watchful this time.

The PTI and PAT had though never admitted that the 2014 sit-in was a result of some script, no less than the present foreign minister and former defence minister Khawaja Asif in a TV talk show had blamed a top man of an important agency and his predecessor to have planned the 2014 sit-in as part of “London Plan” conspiracy against the PML-N government.

Later Mushahidullah Khan had also talked about the matter and hinted of the availability of some electronic evidence but it led to his immediate resignation from the cabinet. Khan was re-inducted in the Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s cabinet.

Although PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari visited Dr Tahirul Qadri on Thursday evening and assured the PAT of his support besides vowing to stand by the party in its struggle against the PML-N government, Dr Tahirul Qadri was calculated in his response.The PAT sources said that their workers have their reservations vis-a-vis the PPP and Asif Ali Zardari. However, they consider the PTI a like-minded party. They are of the view that Dr Tahirul Qadri is sincerely perusing the objective of getting justice for his martyred workers and for this he seeks removal of Shahbaz Sharif government.

On the issue of Model Town killing, the PAT sources said that the PPP have always raised its voice and condemned the massacre. The PAT, it is said, welcomes and appreciates all those who offer their support to get justice for the Model Town victims but will chalk out the strategy that suits it.

Besides the PPP, the PTI chief in his public meeting speeches has also offered to join the PAT protest against the Shahbaz Sharif government. The PML-Q leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Husain and Pervaiz Elahi have also contacted Dr Qadri, who has also held a meeting on Saturday with Pak Sarzameen Party leader Mustafa Kamal, and demanded the removal of Shahbaz Sharif and Rana Sanaullah.

In the electoral politics the PAT has never made any impact, because of its street muscle and dedicated workers the opposition political parties are wooing it to launch a decisive protest to get rid of Shahbaz Sharif government.