Tahir ul Qadri:'A dictatorship and rule of the elite based on corruption'
Its a political dictatorship in a country that is constitutionally a democratic republic: Qadri
(Web Desk) – As the world watches the fate of Pakistan’s democratically elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in alleged corruption charges that could eventually see him removed by the Supreme Court.
In an interview to Al Jazeera, Islamic Scholar Dr.Tahir ul Qadri, talks about whether he believes Pakistan is democratic state or not and if not then what does he thinks about the elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
“It’s a political dictatorship in a country that is constitutionally a democratic republic,” he said.
Qadri said, “There is no rule of law, no protection to the people, this is a dictatorship and rule of the elite based on corruption.”
Tahir ul Qadri was asked why he didn’t accept the outcome of 2013 elections when Nawaz Sharif won the election. Which was monitored by European Union and concluded that it showed a strong democratic commitment with high levels of competition a marked increase in voter’s participation and over-all acceptance of the outcome?
“Election is not the beauty of democracy, it is one part of the whole process of democracy”, Qadri.
“All things have been maneuvered; election commission was under the Nawaz Sharif. Judges are being appointed by him, they have made amendments in the constitution, 17 amendments have been made; democratic spirit of constitution is totally out of the constitution."
Whether Qadri wants call for a Military coup to get the elected prime minister removed or not, despite his praises for the Military in the past.
“No, I’ve never called out for coup I have never been in favor of military dictatorship I am totally against every kind of dictatorship whether it is military or in the name of the civil rule, dictatorship is dictatorship. I believe in the popular democracy where people have the right to choose their rulers where people have the rights to save and secure their rights.”
When asked, if the Military topples the Government would he stand with Nawaz Sharif and condemn that?
“I will never stand with Nawaz Sharif and at the same time I will never stand with the military, I’ll condemn both.”
“To me the phenomena of election is not democracy, election is just one part of the bigger picture of democracy which comes once in 5 years. To me democracy is a game of every day.” Qadri answered.
Qadri carried out a number of rallies, sit-ins and demonstrated against the Government in the recent years, he was asked if the rallies were just a way to get some attention for himself and keeping himself in the public eye.
“14 innocent workers of my party were killed. This is one exclusive case in the history of Pakistan where there was a massive killing. 100 people were injured with the bullets and 14 were killed the whole world saw through the media but none of them is behind bars this is why I say there is no democracy in this country”, he answered.
In conclusion to how he looks at what the future holds for Pakistan politically despite some in the west says Pakistan is on the verge of becoming a failed state, Qadri responded that there is hope and that he’s struggling to put this thought into the minds of the people that Pakistan is not the ownership of Nawaz Sharif and that it belongs to 200 million Pakistanis.
He said that he is not wishful to become the Prime Minister or the President of Pakistan someday. His only life’s struggle is to bring a positive change, to make Pakistan a peaceful country so that terrorism is neither imported nor exported from the country.
