Dr Qadri lashes out at Nawaz, Shehbaz over Model Town killings

LAHORE: Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri said on Tuesday that Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif are behind the killing of 14 party workers in Model Town three years ago. 

He was addressing PAT workers at Nasir Bagh, Lahore.

The PAT chief said the Sharifs should thank God the Supreme Court did not send them to jail. 

He repeated his earlier challenge to Nawaz, asking him to unveil the 'conspirators' that are allegedly responsible for his ouster. 

"The Supreme Court decided [the Panama Papers case] according to the law," he said. 

He requested the apex court to order the same joint investigation team (JIT) that probed the Panama Papers case to investigate the Model Town incident. 

Qadri also pleaded for the release of the report into the Model Town incident, saying a petition regarding their plea is not taken up by the courts. 

"Shehbaz you are next," said Qadri, adding that the blood of martyrs will not spare you. 

He termed the Panama Papers verdict of the apex court the first ray of hope in a law-abiding state. 

The PAT chief promised to fight for justice till he breathes his last. 

"The FIR registered during the dharna on the pressure of the army chief has yet to bear fruit," he claimed. 

He alleged that every terrorist and militant outfit is funded by Nawaz, saying these groups even support his party during elections. 

Addressing the dozens of supporters gathered at the venue, Qadri asked them if they were willing to take part in a 'sit-in' to press the government to meet their demands. 

He claimed that his supporters are ready on a moment's notice to assemble to take their 'Qisas march' forward. 

Qadri was accompanied by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Chaudhry Sarwar, among other political leaders, including Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed. They also addressed the rally before Qadri took the stage. 

Rasheed claimed Nawaz is marching against the army and judiciary. 

Earlier, addressing the media after landing at Allama Iqbal International Airport from Doha, Qatar, Qadri said the Panama Papers verdict against Nawaz Sharif is revenge for the Model Town 'massacre'.

Referring to his address at a rally in December 2012 at Minar-e-Pakistan, where he had stated that as long as Article 62 of the Constitution is not invoked, corruption cannot be eliminated from across the country, Qadri said: "Thank God after four years, article 62 has spoken".

He challenged Nawaz to name the 'conspirators' against him so all is clear in front of the public. "Who are you [Nawaz] protesting against," wondered Qadri, adding that the 'GT Road party' will be buried on the GT Road.

He also paid rich tributes to the 'Model Town martyrs'. In June 2014, around 14 PAT activists were killed in police action against the party's offices in Lahore's Model Town locality.  Scores of PAT supporters had gathered in and outside the airport to welcome the spiritual leader while police were deployed to ensure any untoward incident does not take place.

"I will announce my future course of action at Nasir Bagh," he had said further. 

Qadri had allied himself with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) during its 2014 protest 'sit-in' against the government in Islamabad but later the two parties went their separate ways. 

A case has also been registered against the two leaders on charges of destroying public property during the sit-in. 

However, PTI chief Imran Khan still refers to Qadri as the party's 'political cousin'.