LONDON/LAHORE - Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), agreeing on a 10-point agenda at a meeting in London, have announced to launch a movement for turning Pakistan into a welfare state.
PML-Q President Senator Ch Shujaat Hussain, former deputy prime minister Ch Pervaiz Elahi and PAT Chief Dr Tahirul Qadri made this announcement at a joint press conference at which other leaders were also present.
A joint declaration said, “The obsolete corrupt electoral system has failed to solve the problems of the people. The present governments have come into existence through unconstitutional election commission, so a new democratic government has become inevitable. We will give employment and house to everyone, subsidy will be provided to people with less than Rs 15,000 monthly income for buying atta, clothes and milk at 50 percent discounted price. These persons will be registered and tax will be abolished on electricity, water and gas. Sectarianism will be eliminated and natural resources will be fully exploited and explored. Education will be free up to matriculation, power devolved to the lower level and industry, trade and businessmen given protection.”
Dr Tahirul Qadri said he would come to Pakistan in June instead of July and protest would be launched against the government.
Ch Shujaat Hussain said practical steps would be taken for the welfare of the poor. “On our return to Pakistan, political and religious parties and all other figures would be contacted,” he said.
Dr Tahirul Qadri said the present obsolete and corrupt system had been completely destroyed. “We will explore and exploit natural resources for the betterment of the people, the poor will get free medical treatment, tax net will be expanded, corruption eliminated, the country put on the path of development and an independent election commission set up to lead the country to the path of development. Sectarianism will be eliminated,” Qadri said.
Senator Kamil Ali Agha, MNA Tariq Bashir Cheema, Muhammad Basharat Raja, Moonis Elahi, Senator Dr Khalid Ranjha, Haleem Adil Sheikh, Senator Dilawar Abbas and other leaders were also present at the joint press conference.

Q, PAT HAVE NO POLITICAL ROLE: PERVAIZ: Federal Information and Broadcasting Minster Pervaiz Rahid has termed the meeting between Dr Tahir ul Qadri and Chaudhrys in London as one by those who have no political role in the country.
He said commenting on the meeting is merely waste of time. “It is waste of time to comment on Dr Qadri and Chaudhry brothers. One can never enter the Parliament while the other cannot become an opposition,” he remarked in a media interaction.
About Imran Khan, the minister said the PTI chief was spiraling around the cage and lacked courage to enter it.
To a question, he said Sheikh Rashid was a passenger without a ticket and Khawaja Saad Rafique would check him.
The information minister said the government would take the decision on removing Musharraf's name from the exit-control list (ECL) after the court gave its verdict.