PPP, PTI to join me at sit-in: Qadri

LAHORE: Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri said on Wednesday the PPP and PTI have announced unconditional support to him, and both the parties would be on his left and right [at the sit-in], adding the only thing they needed is "the right time".

In an interview to a private TV channel, he repeated the demand for immediate resignation of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Law Minister Rana Sanaullah. Qadri said if Shahbaz did not surrender, then “we will teach him how to surrender”. They would stop making noise if courts did not find him guilty and would not make ruckus like Nawaz Sharif, he added.

The PAT chief said the Model Town incident required a Panama Papers-like JIT, which should be headed by Justice Najfi. He said Rana Sana would understand Justice Baqir Najfi’s report because he is the planner of the June 17 Model Town killings, adding the provincial minister would be hanged after the case is completed.

Replying to a question, Qadri said if they failed to resign, then the next phase would be to remove the Punjab government and both PPP and PTI are in favour of that, adding his party stood for saving the state. About the timing and issue for launching street protests, he said it is too early to say and discussions are under way to decide the matter.

When asked whether he still considers Asif Ali Zardari and other party leaders corrupt, Qadri said PAT, PPP and PTI have united on a single-point agenda and he would not say anything that could damage that programme.

Replying to a question about the PTI's demand for early elections, the PAT head said he is in favour of accountability and introduction of reforms before the polls, adding the elections could not provide good democracy and leaders, if the current system remains unchanged.