Tahirul Qadri says he or his family won't contest elections
23 January, 2013
LAHORE: Tehrik Minhajul Quran (TMQ) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri has announced that no member of his family will contest elections including himself, his two sons, three daughters and sons-in law. Addressing a press conference Tuesday, he said TMQ's political wing, Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT), will take a final decision on the matter after Eid Miladun Nabi (SAW), whereas any decision regarding political alliance for elections will be taken with the consultation of workers. He said those raising issue of his dual nationality should go to the Canadian Embassy. Qadri emphasised that implementation on Islamabad long march declaration neither required constitutional amendments nor any role of the parliament, but the entire document is concerned with the Election Commission only. He said he had never used religious congregations for political purpose. He asked the Punjab government to give permission for holding a procession of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH). He said he had held meetings with his lawyers for giving final shape to the declaration, and is waiting for a meeting with the lawyers of the ruling coalition parties, adding that they will not let anyone throw the agreement into the dustbin. Qadri said even if the present coalition government is dissolved, it would have no bearing on the legal status of the Islamabad declaration since it was being given final shape and entire mechanism would be decided on January 27. Following that, he said, a notification would be issued to give it a legal status in accordance with the Supreme Court judgment, while the Election Commission was also working on it under its procedure. Qadri said a tribunal comprising retired judges of high court would be appointed to review the necessary reforms in the electoral process including the procedure of the candidates' scrutiny. Condemning his critics, he said he was a supporter of political system but was averse to the present system which had turned all the people against itself due to rampant corruption. The TMQ head warned that if army had taken any step, then there would have left neither democracy nor peace. End.
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