MANDI BAHAUDDIN/BAHAWALPUR – Ex-servicemen, lawyers and civil society members have praised the discipline, unity and determination shown by the participants of Tahirul Qadri’s long march to Islamabad and termed it a victory of the Tehrik-e-Minhajul Quran.
Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society Mandi Bahauddin Senior Vice President Major (r) Nasir Javed said the TMQ long march had given a serious jolt to all traditional politicians who were exploiting the poor in the name of democracy. He said the long march united all political forces, adding that efforts against the long march were aimed to maintain status quo. He said the long march had made every citizen conscious to vote for honest and competent candidates in the upcoming election, adding it had brought almost an end to dynastic and traditional politics.
Subedar Major (r) Bashir said morale of the participants during the march and sit-in was high and they were willing to continue the sit-in till fulfillment of their demands. He said the long march and sit-in was carried out in an organised and peaceful manner and till its end no damage was caused to any property. Human Rights Forum President Raja Sarwar said the TMQ was fighting for the basic rights of  lower class of the society and its long march success would bring changes in their life. He congratulated participants of the long march in severe cold weather for four days even during rain.
He said Islamabad Long March Declaration could not be termed a victory of either party but it had at least forced the rulers to accept the demands partially with realisation of their weaknesses regarding their incompetency to rule the country in transparent and effective manner. The participants returning from Islamabad were jubilant and termed the Islamabad Long March Declaration a victory of TMQ.
Afzal Warriach Advocate of Shahidanwali said Tehrik-e-Minhajul Quran leader Dr Tahirul Qadri’s demands were in fact those of public who are neglected and oppressed by the rulers. He said, “Our election system is faulty and brings the same people to power every time due to their hold on the national resources. People want honest and competent leadership and to achieve this objective electoral reform are indispensible, he added.
Separately, also PPP Bahawalpur Muhammad Saleem termed the Islamabad declaration a victory of democracy. “It is the victory of the policy of reconciliation as envisioned by Benazir Bhutto,” he stated while talking to the media at a meeting.He congratulated President Zardari and his team along with the whole nation for the agreement which had conveyed Pakistan’s image as a peaceful country to the world.
“We are against corruption, terrorism and extremism,” he added. He felicitated the people of the long march who were sitting in the cold weather in a peaceful and democratic manner to strengthen democracy. It was such a peaceful gathering which ended in victory of the whole nation. He said the Islamabad Declaration would be implemented in letter and spirit, which would help strengthen democracy. Election will be held on time under the independent Election Commission.