• PAT chief says present democratic set-up is result of rigging and corruption

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri on Saturday gave a one-month time to the assemblies in case of Nawaz Sharif’s resignation.

He said, “We will remain peaceful and all participants of revolution march must remain peaceful. I am a peaceful man and also believe in peace. All marchers must observe peace as peaceful protest is our constitutional right…no one can stop us from staging peaceful protest demonstrations.”

Delivering a short speech in the presence of PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, and Allama Nasir Abbas of the Majlis-e-Wahdatul Muslimeen, the PAT chief said he was ready to give one-month extension to parliament if Nawaz Sharif submits his resignation. He said the so-called democracy was taking its last breath. “Time will decide who is the actual enemy of the country’s constitution, democracy and law,” the fiery cleric told his charged supporters. Qadri said end of democracy was near.

Earlier in the day, addressing his party workers, the PAT chief said, “Tax evaders have become members of parliament as around 600 families have occupied parliament and poor people can not become member of the parliament.”

Dr Tahirul Qadri questioned the legitimacy of the present democratic set-up, which, according to him, was the result of rigging and corruption. He said the current system brutal and ruthless, saying it is thriving on corruption and has failed miserably to give justice to the poor people.

Cursing the present democratic system, Qadri said, “To hell with it… I don’t accept this democracy… keep this democracy with yourself, which remained unable to give justice to poor, oppressed and deprived ones.”

“What form of democracy is this where poor has not bread, shelter and health facilities while rich are filling their coffers and poor are dying of starvation,” Qadri rejected democracy where innocent people are killed and FIRs are not registered.

“Where is rule of law, democracy, supremacy of constitution, humanity?” Qadri questioned.

Outlining his thoughts about democracy, Qadri labelled that it was meant for justice for everyone where each one has drinking water, bread and health facilities. To him, democracy was meant to bring prosperity in the lives of poor and smiles on the faces of oppressed and hopeless peoples. He said, “We would bring such democracy where there will be no looting, lives and properties of each citizen will be safe, enough bread, safe drinking water, honorable shelter to every one, mechanism to help and support the poor, deprived, and oppressed ones, ample job opportunities for unemployed.”