Imran ready to sit with Zardari for Qadri’s anti-government move

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan promised full and unconditional support to PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri in his proposed anti-government movement, saying he is ready to sit with PPP Co-chairperson Asif Zardari in the leadership of Qadri for seeking justice for the victims of the Model Town massacre.

Imran called on Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) head Dr Tahirul Qadri at his secretariat along with a party delegation and discussed the strategy to increase pressure on the PML-N government and the possibilities of making the likely anti-government movement successful.

Both leaders, while addressing a press conference on Tuesday, termed the PML-N government fascist and oppressive, calling for its early ouster and accountability to punish for crimes against the innocent masses. They demanded resignations of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Home Minister Rana Sanaullah for their alleged role in the Model Town killings.

Imran said Nawaz had been the darling of the establishment and was nurtured by Gen Ziaul Haq, which brought him into power and helped him overcome Benazir Bhutto’s PPP by establishing IJI-like alliances, and later brigadier-rank-officers rigged elections through returning officers in 2013 to help him reach the Parliament again.

He said neither Mehran Bank Scam nor the Hudaibiya Mills or any other NAB cases were probed against the establishment’s favourite. But, he said, Nawaz is currently abusing establishment and judiciary for not coming to his help like in the past. He said those riding in the lap of establishment all through their political career were now lecturing others on democracy. He said the Panama Leaks probe proved that the PML-N controlled all state institutions and have rendered them paralysed. He alleged that FBR, NAB and FIA had been supporting the Sharif brothers and the PML-N leadership. “This Mafia had hijacked democracy and the state institutions,” Imran said.

Qadri said the modus operandi ofthe protest movement would be decided at the APC after consultation with all the opposition parties. He expressed hope for the removal of Shahbaz government, saying the elder brother was sent home in Panama Leaks case while the younger would be sent away for Model Town killings.

To a question about the possibility of putting his name in the ECL, Qadri said it would help him concentrate more on the anti-government movement. He said the Sharif brothers must keep in mind that they would not go scot-free for the Model Town incident. He said despite the fact that the Justice Baqar Najfi commission had relied on official witnesses, it held Shahbaz and Rana Sana responsible for the killings. Qadri praised the PTI chief for his whole hearted support all through the last three and a half years, saying Imran and his party stood by the PAT during the struggle for seeking justice as it was their own cause.

Imran said his meetings with Qadri have no political agenda and is only for the cause of humanity and justice, adding they did not discuss political or electoral alliance. “I have brought the entire party leadership to Qadri. We will stand by whatever decision Qadri will take for seeking justice.” He said the Sharif family had politicised the police to protect them in corruption cases and crimes against the people. Imran said the Sharif family and their cronies were not politicians but a mafia which has been plundering public wealth for many decades stashing huge fortunes abroad.

Imran recalled that former finance minister Ishaq Dar’s father was a poor mechanic who used to repair bicycles, but Dar and his sons have made fortunes and created business empires worth billions of dollars. He said the Model Town killings were engineered at the behest of Nawaz to teach Qadri a lesson, adding that Shahbaz and Rana Sana had no option but to surrender.

Senior PTI leaders Jahangir Tareen, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Aun Chaudhry, Fawad Chaudhry, Shafqat Mehmood, Aleem Khan, Ijaz Chaudhry and others accompanied Imran. PAT leaders Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, Dr Hussain Mohiuddin, Fayyaz Warraich, Brig (retd) Mushtaq and others were also present on the occasion.