Lahore- Dismissing rumors of a rift between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), PAT chief Tahirul Qadri today said he has no differences with PTI chief Imran Khan.
Speaking to media on his arrival in Lahore, Qadri said PTI and PAT leaders had been in contact even when he was away from Pakistan.
“PAT President Raheeq Abbasi, who is in my car right now, received a call from PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi, welcoming me to Pakistan, he said.
Qadri said he has decided to take his sit-ins to other parts of the country.
“Our struggle is no more confined to a single sit-in but will be transformed into a nationwide movement of sit-ins,” he said, revealing his plans to hold rallies in Bhakkar, Sargodha, Sialkot, Mansehra and Karachi on November 23, December 5, 14, 21 and 25 respectively. Qadri said he was delighted to see a large of crowd and party workers to welcome on his homecoming – a reception which he said was not expected.
There is an ‘ocean’ of workers which can be seen by anyone, he said.
Dr. Qadri hastened to add that his party had made no arrangements for such large number of people. “Presence of people in large numbers shows that they are bent on bringing about a revolution. They are striving against status quo and oppressive system in Pakistan,” he added.
He said it seems that revolution was now a destiny of hundreds of thousands of people. The PAT chief said he had not sighted any police contingent around him. “They would certainly be here, but I have not seen them so far.”
He praised the indomitable spirit of his workers to for better change in the country.
Such a system would soon be toppled and people would get the results of their struggle,” he said.
Speaking about investigation into the Model Town clashes, Qadri said no probe panel with Shahbaz Sharif as chief minister will be acceptable to his party.
“The joint investigation team is formed by those who ordered Model Town massacre and took part in the killings – the Punjab government and Punjab police,” he asserted, adding that accepting such a panel will be equal to betraying the “martyrs” of Model Town.
Earlier Qadri arrived at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore on Thursday morning concluding his visit to USA, Canada and UK. The PAT chief reportedly visited these countries for medical check-up as well as reorganizing his party. A large number of supporters, including scores of women, had gathered outside the Allama Iqbal International Airport and were part of the PAT chief's convoy on his journey. Qadri asked his supporters to remain peaceful and speaking to media representatives from inside the aircraft said: "The righteous shall win."
The firebrand cleric left the airport amid strict security measures and set off to visit Data Darbar en route to his party secretariat in Model Town. Three deputy superintendent of police (DSPs), including SP Cantt, were posted along with 200 other policemen for Qadri's security.