Zardari, Qadri demand Punjab CM's resignation

LAHORE:   Addressing a joint presser after a meeting, Pakistan People’s Party Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Awami Tehreek Chairman Dr Tahirul Qadri on Thursday urged Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to step down following the Model Town inquiry report.

Qadri said that the recognition of Al-Quds as Israeli capital by the US was not only an issue of the Muslim Ummah but an international problem.

He further said that the Justice Baqir Najafi report had held Shahbaz Sharif responsible for the Model Town tragedy, adding that Rana Sanaullah, the then law minister, was in charge of the plot.

Qadri demanded  Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif and Rana Sanaullah  to resign and face courts or else he would hold peaceful protests.

Speaking on the occasion, Zardari said that he stands by Qadri  and urged the Punjab chief minister to resign.

Earlier, former president Asif Ali Zardari arrived at the Minhajul Quran Secretariat for a meeting with  Pakistan Awami Tehreek Chief  Dr Tahirul Qadri.   The meeting was also attended by Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, Manzoor Watto, Qamar Zaman Kaira and others.

Sources said that prior to the meeting both the leaders had discussed the Najafi Commission report on Model Town tragedy in a phone call, in which Zardari resolved to take the culprits to the task.

While confirming the meeting, opposition leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah said that the PPP leader is visiting the Minhajul Quran Secretariat on the invitation of Dr Tahirul Qadri.