Dr Tahirul Qadri agrees to leave plane conditionally

LAHORE: Chief of Pakistan Awami Tehreek , Dr Tahirul Qadri has agreed to leave for his residence under his personal security hours after his flight EK-612 of Emirates Airline landed at Lahore...

By
AFP
Dr Tahirul Qadri agrees to leave plane conditionally
LAHORE: Chief of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), Dr Tahirul Qadri has agreed to leave for his residence under his personal security hours after his flight EK-612 of Emirates Airline landed at Lahore airport at 9:30 am on Monday, Geo News reported.





Dr Qadri gave up his demand of provision of military security and said that he would leave for his home under the security of his personal guards as he can’t trust the Punjab government and police. He demanded the authorities to bring his bullet-proof vehicle to tarmac and that the journey of his convoy should be broadcast live on the media.

Dr Tahirul Qadri refused to sit in any vehicle provided by the Punjab government and demanded the governor Punjab to accompany his convoy.

He further demanded to reinstall the barriers near his residence within 24 hours that were earlier removed and ended up in a bloody clash leaving ten killed in Model Town, Lahore.

The administration is mulling over Qadri’s demands and the final decision will be taken post deliberations.

Earlier when his plane landed at Lahore airport, Dr Tahirul Qadri refused to leave the plane and talk to the government representatives, saying that he would only speak to the representative of armed forces.

Dr Qadri told the reporters from inside the aircraft that he would not disembark till his security is guaranteed by the military.

Addressing a press conference, Dr Qadri said that thousands of supporters were present at the Islamabad airport and questioned that why their sentiments were being hurt by diverting his flight to Lahore and asking him to exit the plane.

He said that he is a Pakistani citizen and it is his right to land anywhere he wanted. Dr Qadri said that it was not a right decision to divert his flight.

The PAT leader said that dictatorship rules Pakistan instead of democracy. He demanded an explanation for diverting his flight to Lahore.

Dr Qadri said that he will not exit the plane until any official of the armed forces arrives at the scene and provides him security. He agreed to leave for his residence in the military protection.

On the other hand, a large number of PAT supporters arrived at the Lahore airport after their leader’s flight was diverted from Islamabad.