Half the job is done: Tahirul Qadri
16 January, 2013
ISLAMABAD: Declaring the Supreme Court's orders in the RPPs case a victory, Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) chief Tahirul Qadri announced on Tuesday that half the job has been done and the remaining would be completed tomorrow (Wednesday). Qadri dubbed the present democratic system "fake and fraud", saying it served the interests of only one percent of the population by depriving 99 percent of its fruits. Speaking to his supporters, who converged at D Chowk in front of the Parliament House on the second day of his sit-in, Qadri lashed out at what he called the political elite of the country by labelling them corrupt and tax evaders. In the same breath, TMQ chief showered heaps of praise on army and judiciary by terming them the only institutions that are functioning and discharging their responsibilities efficiently. Addressing his charged supporters, who spent the night in open sky, Qadri only revealed one point of his charter of demands before abruptly ending this speech due to announcement of Supreme Court order. Narrating this point, he emphasised that "no representation without taxation" should be a key element in the democratic and electoral reforms, on which he has been embarked upon presently. Criticising the parliamentarians, he said 70 percent of Pakistani lawmakers did not pay their taxes and announced that we have staged a sit-in and would not leave without getting a response. Amidst the chants "we want change" Qadri, said the people had gathered in Islamabad to demand their rights. Terming it the "Islamabad Declaration ", Qadri said the conclusion of the long march was the beginning of the revolution. He said he wanted changes and reforms in the country's system, adding that his long march was democratic and peaceful, and would not resort to violent tactics. "If I ask the protesters to take over the houses of parliament, they would follow the instruction and no power in the world could stop the march's participants from taking over the parliament," he declared. However, Qadri said the goal of the participants was to eliminate anarchy and unrest and not spread it. He stated he did not want any unlawful and unconstitutional measures by taking over the Presidency and the Prime Minister's House. Spelling out his agenda, TMQ chief pointed out he wanted the rulers to be made to account before the laws of the country. End.
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