A large number of people, including women gathered at Tehreek-Minhajul Quran Markaz in Lahore started rolling towards Islamabad almost five hours behind the scheduled time, a private TV channel reported.
“It is a march against ruling plunderers, it is a march against evil forces, oppressors, it is a long march against corrupts and Inshallah we will wipe out these forces forever”, Qadri said before setting out towards Islamabad.
Preparations continued throughout the night as activists of the TMQ were seen placing banners and loud speakers on trucks buses and other vehicles they hired for traveling.
Dr Tahirul Qadri on Saturday refused to give up his call for long march to Islamabad despite hectic efforts by the Chaudhrys of Gujrat and real estate tycoon Malik Riaz.
Riaz had to face an embarrassing situation when Dr Qadri refused to hold negotiations with Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Pervez Elahi in the realtor’s presence.
Qadri’s news conference that followed the refusal showed Riaz trying to convince the TMQ chief to cancel his march due to security threats, as hundreds of people had lost their lives in recent bombings across the country. Qadri categorically refused to postpone his march, saying his long march “could not be bought”.
Reiterating his stance thrice, Qadri said the long march would be staged at all costs.
Addressing Riaz, Qadri said cases against him were pending in various courts and he did not consider it appropriate to talk to Riaz.
Offering clarification and some face saving, Elahi said they had brought Riaz along as his “speedy wisdom” worked well in such circumstances, but Qadri said he would talk to PML-Q leaders only if Riaz left.
Malik Riaz left the scene a few seconds later, followed by Moonis Elahi, who apparently followed to appease a visibly rattled Riaz.
The PML-Q leaders then headed inside for talks with Qadri.
After a brief discussion, the TMQ leader said he had made known to the PML-Q leadership his three main demands and discussions would continue in this regard.
He said a final decision would be made outside the Parliament House in Islamabad, adding that he would not rest until a guarantee of implementation of his demands, not just promises, were provided to him.
Earlier in the day, the TMQ chief held a press conference and gave his seven-point charter of demands for the long march, saying the march was being staged for the supremacy of constitution and law.
Qadri said the seven points include electoral reforms and conditions for the caretaker government, adding that he was only revealing three of the demands and the remaining would be made public in Islamabad.
He said the historical march would start at 9am on Sunday at Data Darbar Lahore and end at Imam Bari in Islamabad.
The TMQ chief said no decision would be taken behind closed doors and the long march could not be stopped through mere dialogues.
Slamming the PPP-led government, Qadri said the government had completely failed to curb violence, challenging that the government and opposition could not form an independent interim government ahead of elections.
Qadri also demanded the government dissolve the current Election Commission and form an independent one.
“There is no doubt about the integrity of Justice (r) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim, but he is unable to shoulder the immense electoral responsibilities owing to his old age,” he noted.
He stressed that the interim government should be formed after consulting all stakeholders and lastly, the results of elections would not be acceptable if they were not held under Articles 62, 63, 68 and 218.
Dr Qadri asserted that inactivity at this crucial juncture would only result in loss to the country. He invited all patriotic political parties to stand in unison to bring the required change.
What a strange drama….Qadri sahbs as usual arrogance…Chaudhris "Modesity and humbleness" and rightly done embarrassement to Malik Riaz ( a non stage actor) ………..
Can any body tell how many wife's and children he has?What are his assets in Pakistan or Canada?How many time he has filed tax return to Pakistan govt? Is he gainfully employed any where?
As a commoner we have the right to know about this Mullah turned politician now.
Poor malik riaz all time ready to clean the shit of establishment.I think he was trapped their by idiot chaudires.Qadri surely in his height of acting of patriotism.He is doing all this as attention seeking of media which should emphasis on Hazara community who are this time marking the toughest protest against govt and army.
very wel declared poor malik riaz, r u his daughter
No Luckily I am not his daughter but I call such guys the poorest who lose their self respect and honor in piles of wealth and people do respect them because of assets and power.
Well said
Tempest in a tea pot?
who is giving license of modesty to chaudrys? must be one of their sons . they have ruined and looted pakistan . does any one doubts this ?
Malik Riaz went in what capacity.Qadri done the right thing God bless him
Where was this toronto based mullah Mr qadri in the last Six yrs?What taxes he paid to FBR/Pakistan in the last six yrs?
What an idiotic question, if you are not in the country, why should you have to pay tax?
The Mullah is always dreaming and this time his dream is to derail democracy.
Thanks. A man is known by the company he keeps. A citizen (especially a mullah turned politician)is known by the number of times he files his tax return.
So by following this dictum I am asking Mr Qadri to show us his last six yrs tax return before he goes for this long march.
I will bet Re 1 with anyone that MR is the future prime minister or president of Islamic Republic of Pakistan AKA Islam ka Qilaa.
Rubbish..
Islam ka Qilaa ?? No no no.. we are Islam ka Contractors..
Keep on dreaming please.
Is it really that difficult to try to understand that Pakistan at this moment has the worst government In the world.. I feel any change is better then what we have at the moment … Hundreds of people killed everyday ( fathers, grandfathers ,mothers ,grandmothers, sisters,daughter,sons,brothers.. )all losing there loved ones.. This must stop… The government doesn’t give a damn what happens or how many die… Only Allah (swt) has the right to take life…
Million March from Lahore to Islamabad air port air Canada flight !!
Pakistan is hardly recovering from the previous wounds of authoritarian rules , and fir the first time an elected government is completing its tenure. at this moment of delicacy , where country is facing unprecedented challenges both at internal and external fronts, the adventure by Dr, Tahir ul Qadri seems far beyond ones boundaries of imaginations. it s a day light fact that the current government has failed to deliver , but one wonders what kind of initiative this is? to bring change the country … no plans , no programs , nothing to do with the democratic system of the country, Canadian citizenship, no registration of the political party with election commission..
what Dr, wants … may be a share in care taker setup
if you would have followed his speech & his demands…your comment would have been more realistic.Was there no long march / rallies / demonstration by so many other political parties in the last 5 years, why has this become so much of a topic & created a panic by all those vested political parties.The best part, Dr Qadri`s demand for electoral reforms have been appreciated by all the parties, yet they will not change though the draft similar to what Dr Qadri demands is there, but will not be finalized because, otherwise, it will break the status quo of the 2 main parties as it bring lot of changes in the electoral process such as ban dynastic political parties, making EC more independent, transparent & powerful such as appointment of Election Commissioners by the CEC, which is today are appointed selectively by the govt…in this scenario due you expect free & fair election…& many more legitimate reforms & demands have been presented by Dr Qadri which has shaken all the political parties..that is why the panic.Suggest read his speech….analyze its substance & not Dr Qadri`s personality…..please.
god bless you, agree whole heartedly with your comments
God bless you for speaking truth….
just completing tenure is not a quality, completing tenure with what, hungry population, no gas no electric, no water, prices sky high most of the factories closed and no employment, 25 million people under the sky, with absolutely nothing not even a blanket to avoid freezing weather, almost deaths blasts killings rapes looting, no security for any one, railway almost bankrupt, schools empty, hospitals empty with no medicines, dangerous medicines used in hospitals to kill patients shall i carry on. please try living in real world. these governments are morally bankrupt. NO FEAR OF GOD. BUT MUST REMEMBER THERE WILL BE FINAL HEARING FOR SURE
Best reaction could be to deport this man and cancel his citizenship of Pakistan.
Totally against this march .. what is the meaning , motive of this march when we are about to kick PPP & PML(N) when government has finished 5 years and we are near to elections what is DR doing there … where was he when Musharaf killing innocent peoples in LAL MASJID where was he when drone attacks killing peoples … ??? he was sitting in Canada & enjoying his life …
He was filling up his application to get Canadian nationality. This was told to me by angel Alladin. Please keep it secret other wise he will not tell me any thing in future. Thanks
Million March from Lahore to Islamabad air port air Canada flight !!
By the number of commits, it appears people are more interested in what is going to happen in Islamabad and not what is happening to hapless mourners in Quetta.
it is very sad what happened in Queta. unforgivable, this march is people make sure it does not happen again.
Please tell me where can I buy this Topi from
Pakistan is obviously too big for those that end up in power to manage and control. So the people should either change its rulers or get ready for the splitting up of the country. As things just cannot carry on the way they have….
With your logic then all the big countries should be split. Can you tell which country does not have problem?
Mullah is always Dreaming and this time his dream is to derail democracy.
The long march was long ago to Toronto. This is MI6 and CIA reverse march
Mr Qadri. Please show us your last six yrs tax return. If you like Pakistan so much I would like to know how much taxes you have paid to this beloved country?
By the way, if you loved Pakistan ,why did you take Canadian citizenship?
Your actions are opposite to what you say. Can you explain it.
What charity work he has done for Pakistan?did he give any big money to any school or hosp. Please explain the nature of charity work.
All these mullah turned politicians are corrupt unless proven other wise. These people take the cover of religion and present themselves as honest people but they are corrupt to the last drop if their blood.
Remember, TAJ co. They used to print holy Quran. They did the biggest fraud in finance and ran to UK.
Why Mt Qadri was sitting for six yrs continuously in Canada?Because before you apply for citizenship,you have to stay in the country continuously for four yrs, then you are eligible to apply.
If he loved Pakistan so much why did he pick up Canadian citizenship?Any answer to this question?
This comment is written in response to ss from UK.
5 saal tk pakistan me jamhoioreat k naam pr awam ko loota gea ,, cng, gass, petrool , mehngai ny awam ko ghurbat ki lakeer sy b neechy dakail dea,, ab election kreeb hen, aur pml n aur ppp ny muk moka kr k apni marzi ka election comissioner bnaya hy,, 6 article 62, 63 pr ammal nahen ho ga,, lone defalter , tex defalter , election me dobara hissa ly kr phir 5 saal tk qoum ko looten gy,,, tahir ul qadri ny pml n aur ppp k iss muk moka waly drama ko by nokab kr dea,,, welldone tahir ul qadri,,
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