Minister for Information and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid said on Monday that the government was committed to providing all security measures to Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Chairman Dr Tahirul Qadri and his plane was diverted to Lahore to ensure his safety.
Talking to reporters, Rashid said that the plane was also diverted due to security threats and to avoid any untoward incident in the federal capital.
He said, “The government wanted to ensure that Qadri arrives safely at his house and that was why he was advised and requested to fly via helicopter”.
“We want to save Qadri’s life and also dispel the allegations he levelled against the government regarding his security,” said the minister.
Rashid said that the PAT workers worsened the security situation in the twin cities, making it possible for terrorists to sabotage their rallies.
“We tried to explain the situation to Qadri but some other people were instigating him,” said Rashid.
The senator said that the PAT chairman was surrounded by those who had been part of General (r) Pervez Musharraf’s cabinet, which has raised the doubts that Qadri has arrived in Pakistan to give a new political life to the retired general’s allies.
He alleged that Qadri had hijacked an international plane and made the passengers hostage as most of the passengers on board were PAT activists.
The minister said it was not for the first time that Qadri was creating such a situation in the country and his political career was splashed with similar acts.
Rashid said that Dr Qadri was himself seated comfortably while his followers were out on the roads in the scorching heat.
He alleged that Dr Qadri’s agenda was not only to block the road to progress and prosperity but also to derail the government’s efforts to overcome the energy crisis and rid the country of darkness.
He said the government had demonstrated great patience and tolerance over the entire situation.
He advised that Dr Qadri should not indulge the armed forces into politics whilst they conduct an operation in North Wazirastan against terrorists.
He said that the army was fighting to protect the sovereignty and future of the country and it was not advisable to divert its focus.
The minister said that in the current scenario, terrorists could take advantage of the situation as they had already threatened to retaliate to the army operation.