Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has announced not to participate in long march organized by Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri. Dr. Arif Alvi, Secretary General of PTI statement said that his party welcomes long march if it can result in desired electoral reforms but will not be part of it. He went on say that reforms propagated by Dr. Qadri are vague.
Dr. Alvi said that PTI is against current political setup but only believe in constitutional replacement of current regime through free and fair electoral process. He was speaking to correspondents from leading Pakistan News sources at press club Karachi.
Pakistan Tehrek-i-Insaf is also striving for electoral reforms in Pakistan and has filed a petition in Supreme Court as well related with the matter. Petition is still pending in apex court.
Dr. Tahir ul Qadri’s long march has become talk of town since December 27, 2012 when he addressed a large public gathering at Minar-i-pakistan Lahore. He termed the successful event as starting point of peaceful Safar-I-Inqilab that will result in converting Pakistan into a true Islamic welfare state. He brought forward his demand to reform electoral process and gave a deadline January 14th to implement all the reforms.
Dr. Qadri threatened that he will lead his four million followers to Islamabad and will make D-Chowk a Tehrir square referring massive protests in Egypt that led to ouster of Hosni Mubarak.
Two of Government key allies Muttahida Qaumi movement and Pakistan Muslim League (Q) supported agenda brought forward by Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri. MQM actively participated in Lahore congregation and facilitated Dr. Qadri for a similar gathering in Karachi that was addressed by MQM chief Altaf Hussein as well.
Pakistan Tehrek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan earlier announced that manifesto of PTI and reforms proposed by Qadri are very similar in anatomy. After these remarks it was widely believed that PTI may join hands with Dr. Qadri and can actively participate in long March. Interior Minister Rehman Malik is expected to meet Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri in Lahore to have discussion on reforms and with a request to put off long March.
