Qadri and Khan tell supporters to march toward PM House

After staging an anti-government protest sit-in for two weeks in front of Parliament House, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Chairman Dr Tahirul Qadri and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Saturday night directed their respective supporters to march toward the Prime Minister’s House, as a large police contingent prepared to thwart the protesters’ attempt to stage a sit-in outside the prime minister’s official residence.

However, some government sources say the protesters would be allowed to stage a sit-in outside PM House and action would only be taken if they threaten law and order situation.

Speaking to PAT protesters, Qadri urged them to show restraint and march peacefully towards the PM House.

Similarly, Khan told his supporters not to indulge in violence and exercise restraint as they march toward the same venue as Qadri, making it clear that it was a coordinated move. He asked the women to follow the “tigers” of the party, referring to the party’s young males.

Earlier, speaking to the protesters, Qadri strongly condemned the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for violating basic human rights to poor masses of the country.

He called on stage mother and brother of a girl who he claimed was gang-raped in Dera Ghazi Khan and committed suicide later.  Qadri condemned the incident, saying it highlights plight of the underprivileged in the country.

He then asked his supporters to pray for them and vows to take revenge from the rulers. “Daughters of the nation are dishonoured in this country,” he said.

Referring to PM Sharif’s statement followed by Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Syed Khursheed Shah’s press conference mirroring the premiers claim that they will safeguard democracy, Qadri said that ‘looters’ have realised the days of their ‘fake democracy’ are numbered.