Qadri gives 48-hour final deadline to Nawaz to wrap up government
26 August, 2014
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) head Tahirul Qadri on Monday gave what he said was the final deadline of 48 hours to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government to dissolve assemblies and resign.
Qadri warned that the situation might lead to "uncontrollable circumstances" if this demand was not met. He also advised the members of the National Assembly to go away prior to the expiry of his ultimatum. "I am giving a 48-hour deadline to dissolve all the assemblies…authorities should let the FIR of Model Town incident in which 14 of our supporters were killed be registered, and make public the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report"
"After 48 hours, I will not be responsible for any action of the crowd present in the sit-in for the last 12 days," he said while blaming the ruling PML-N for letting the situation escalate. He also demanded that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif be arrested. "Step down or I will wear this coffin, or Nawaz Sharif's government will be wrapped in the same shroud," he told his followers and media, with thousands of his followers weeping.
"I am giving this deadline today as I am ready to be martyred and I have taken the last bath today," Qadri asserted. The Canada-based cleric showed protesters a white burial shroud, saying he was ready to wear it for good. "I ask the members of the National Assembly to leave the House before my deadline expires," he warned. Qadri announced that the sit-in has reached its final stage and he cannot force the participants of the "Inqilab March to face more difficulties and hardships".
"I advise the marchers to get ready and make preparation for revolution," Qadri stated. He commended the PAT supporters for their continued participation in what he termed a historic protest. "All the credit for this struggle goes to the people," Qadri remarked, asserting that in the whole history of Pakistan there was no example of such a "collective bravado". He said, "The government has arrested more than 10,000 of our workers before the start of this march. These people who showed up are the true representatives of the people," he said.
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