Qadri says he wants to proceed to Lahore peacefully
The PAT chief says the PML-N government will dig grave of its own rule if it resorts to violence.
LONDON (Dunya News) – Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri is on his way to Pakistan via Dubai from London.
Talking to newsmen outside Heathrow airport, Tahirul Qadri said he wants to arrive in Pakistan and proceed to Lahore in a peaceful manner. He said the PML-N government was digging grave of its rule as it was harassing PAT workers.
Qadri said these tactics of the government cannot stop Pakistan Awami Tehreek from following its mission to bring change in the country through revolution.
Dr Tahirul Qadri received his boarding card at Heathrow airport and was set to make departure for Dabai.
The PAT chief will leave for Dubai at 6pm (Pakistani time) and arrive at Benazir International Airport on Monday morning
According to party sources a large number of party works would receive Dr Tahirul Qadri at the airportQadri’s convoy would leave for Lahore by road.
Pakistan Awami Teheerk (PAT) claimed that its workers were being arrested in different cities.
Talking to media, Central Secretary Pakistan Awami Tehreek Khuram Nawaz Said that more than 150 PAT workers were arrested. He appealed to the workers to remain calm as the government was trying to provoke them.
On the other hand, government has imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in Rawalpindi while public gathering and rallies have been banned at Benazir International Airport and adjacent area.
According to police sources, entry into the airport premises carrying banners and placards would not be allowed while those coming towards airport would be arrested.
The sources added that more than 6000 policemen would be deployed to stop the Awami Tehreek workers from going to airport.
According to police, all these measures were adopted due to security threats.
Earlier on Saturday, Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan imposed ban on holding any kind of rally or public gatherings in the federal capital, while ordering additional security on sensitive areas in the twin cities.
A high level meeting chaired by Nisar took place here in Islamabad where the security arrangements of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Tahirul Qadri’s arrival were reviewed.
Interior Minister directed Commissioner Islamabad to impose a ban on holding any kind of rally or public gathering in Islamabad. He also directed the law enforcement to carry an intensive search operation of the twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad along with the adjacent areas and rid them of the militant elements on war-footing.
Qadri faces security threat:
Meanwhile, intelligence agencies on Saturday termed Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri’s schedule road travel from Islamabad to Lahore as unsafe. Intelligence report says that Qadri could face severe security dangers upon arrival in Pakistan.
According to sources, intelligence agencies alerted the police about the potential threat. The report says that Qadri’s road travel from Islamabad to Lahore is extremely dangerous.
Sources say that PAT workers will not be allowed to welcome Qadri at the airport. Police has also alerted Minhaj-ul-Quran’s local leadership about the security risk.
In an important meeting between police and local administration, it was decided that police will also perform the joint security duty alongside the rangers.
As many as ten thousand police personnel from the twin cities will be deployed on the express way whereas the recommendation to seal the roads leading to the airport is also under consideration.
