Dr Qadri lays out four-point agenda

Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri on Wednesday outlined his four demands, which he called the soul of real democracy.
Addressing thousands of supporters at D-Chowk, Dr Qadri presented his four-point agenda, saying if the government has political will, sincerity and commitment to the constitution and love for real democracy, then it should take his demands seriously.
He demanded that before going into the next general elections there should be electoral reforms, the Election Commission of Pakistan and national and provincial assemblies should be dissolved and an impartial caretaker setup should be announced, which should not be limited to ‘muk muka’ of Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, but every stakeholder, including the army and judiciary should be consulted.
Dr Qadri said that people wanted to get rid of current form of democracy and wanted the next general elections under new electoral reforms.
CURRENT FORM OF DEMOCRACY: He said that the current form of democracy served the interests of only politicians and few families, while 99 percent of population was being looted by the politicians in the name of democracy. The TMQ chief said that in the next general elections Articles 62, 63, and 218 of the constitution must be implemented in letter and spirit. If these articles are implemented then there would be no chance for corrupt, dishonest, tax evaders and fake degree holders to become members of parliament, he said.
The cleric asked the government to dissolve five- member Election Commission of Pakistan and reconstruct it, adding that the commission which comprised political appointees could not conduct free, fair and transparent elections.
He said that political parties trying to fool people gave an impression that they had formed an independent commission. He said that no doubt Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruudin G Ebrahim enjoyed good reputation, but he could not deliver at the age of 81.
He alleged that political parties, comprising tax evaders ‘skillfully’ did not give the full powers to the chief election commissioner, rather he is forced to depend on politically appointed members, who are just protecting the rights of some political parties.
The MQI chief suggested the CEC to tender resignation.
Qadri said that he did not want to derail democracy instead he has been struggling for real democracy. Talking about election schedule, he said, “I want elections should take place within 90 days but under the constitution of Pakistan and People representation Act, 1976.” Clearing his position, he said that he does not want to be part of a caretaker setup. “I want to be the caretaker of the nation,” he added.
He said that he is staging the sit-in just to save the country from dismemberment. He requested Imran Khan to join hands with him, as both have same agenda of change.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s order to arrest Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, he said, “Those who are trying to link the SC order with my sit-in must be ashamed themselves.”
Dr Qadri asked the PM to resign as he has no legal and moral ground to remain PM anymore.
On Wednesday, Kohsar Police registered an FIR against Dr Tahirul Qadri and dozens of his supporters for creating law and order situation.
Qadri was informed about the FIR when he was delivering his speech. He strongly criticised Interior Minister Rehman Malik saying the minister had tried to kidnap him but his supporters had thwarted the attempt.
DEFAMATION CAMPAIGN: Addressing his supporters again on Wednesday night, Qadri claimed that the government was planning to launch a defamation campaign against him in the coming days for which he alleged that the government and opposition parties had pooled in Rs 3,000 million. He warned his detractors of severe fallout of any such campaign against him, and said nothing would deter him and his supporters from retracting their demands.