Presidency assures of no action but Qadri’s loyalists ready

Amid reports of a potential crackdown on the sit-in being staged by supporters of Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran chief Dr Tahirul Qadri in Islamabad for the past three days, the Presidency late on Wednesday issued a clarification that no such use of force would be enforced and the issue would be settled through dialogue.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik also extended an offer of dialogue to the TMQ chief. Earlier through Wednesday evening, the media kept breaking news that a categorical decision to disperse the thousands-strong crowd had been made and an announcement in this regard could come anytime.
Following the reports and a purported abduction attempt on Dr Qadri on Tuesday night, Qadri’s supporters had put in place a five-layer security protocol to tackle any security threat to long march participants. Shakir Ahmed, a volunteer, told Pakistan Today that the kidnapping attempt was made at night when most of the participants were asleep. However, when the announcement was made, most of the participants rushed to the place and later all participants stood guard and performed their duties. Despite the cold weather in the federal capital, thousands of baton-holding volunteers appeared determined for change, however, their leader who claimed repeatedly to give his blood before firing at anyone else took refuge in a bullet-proof vehicle. The batons, created from the nearby tree branches, are being held by TMQ volunteers, who were conducting body search of anyone entering the D-Chowk area at five places. Moreover, all entry and exit points were sealed and volunteers were guarding the area in order to avert any act of sabotage.
CONTRADICTIONS: Dr Qadri once again played with the emotions of the charged marchers, as he tried to replicate the marchers with the comrades of Imam Hussain (AS) – and stated that the struggle against the corrupt rulers was like the war in Karbla. He once again asked the participants to leave if they wanted to, but also asked them to take oath that they would not leave him until their demands were met, as his struggle was for the establishment of a just system in the country. During his speech, he also vowed to give his blood before an attack on any of the participants. However, he remained in his bullet-proof vehicle all the time. The TMQ chief said he was not a candidate for the slot of caretaker prime minister and he was fighting the war for the poor, who had taken to roads to get their rights accepted.
DONATIONS: Some women were seen distributing medicines among the children in the sit-in, while some philanthropists also distributed food among the participants.
PARTICIPANTS RESILIENT: Despite the forecast of rain and thunderstorm for today (Thursday), the participants of the long march remained committed to the demands of Dr Qadri. “I have come a long way from Sheikhupura along with my wife and children. Despite the chilly weather, we will stay here until my Quaid wants me to stay,” said Yasir Qadri. Mohammad Shakil from Lahore said he was not feeling well, but he had taken oath to stay loyal to his leader – Dr Qadri. Mohammad Ayub and Ghulam Mustafa from Bhakkar said they were running their separate businesses but they had closed down their shops to attend the long march. “We will stay on roads until corrupt rulers are sent packing.”