'I ended Islamabad sit-in to avoid martial law'

LAHORE, Feb 3: Tehreek-i-Minhajul Quran chief Dr Tahirul Qadri has said that martial law would have been imposed if he did not announce to end long march for five more minutes. Addressing to General Workers Body of Pakistan Awami Tehreek in Lahore on Sunday, Dr Qadri said that end of Islamabad long march was initiator of his struggle against corruption and corrupt. He said that he would continue his struggle against corrupt people unless they were jailed or ran away. Qadri said, “I was standing alone at the Islamabad long march. All leaders have united, but I am alone. We do not want corrupt people in the system on the name of democracy.” He said that he saved the country from martial law, added that, get victory to peace. The Tehreek Minhajul Quran (TMQ) leader said that target killing occurs on daily basis, and no one was safe in the country. He further said that his party would hold long march against corruption in every city. Tahirul Qadri also said Islamabad Long March was only a beginning, and now Awami Tehrik would hold long marches in every city of Pakistan. Regarding the issue of new province, he said that they want that new provinces should be formed according to the wishes of masses through referendum. He said that new provinces won’t be allowed to be formed on political grounds. Dr Qadri also directed his party workers to conduct a two questions survey whether Pakistan Awami Tehreek should contest election or not? And if PAT participates in the upcoming polls, will you give your vote to PAT? Rejecting the propaganda of postponement of elections, he said that his party would resist the entry of looters into the Parliament in the name of democracy. “Elections will be held to save, not to break the country,” he said. The TMQ leader said that “we would fight for democracy till out last breath as per the Constitution.” He directed party members to launch membership campaign, adding that IRI survey is a “jhurlo” survey. He said that his party would conduct a new survey through impartial people. Regarding the participation in the general elections, he said Awami Tehrik central committee had given him the mandate, and he would take a decision after deliberation with the party leaders.–the Nation  ]]>