News Analysis |
Pakistan Awami Tehreek Quaid Tahirul Qadri congratulated PTI chairman and Prime Minister in waiting for Imran Khan on his success in the General Elections. Qadri pinned his hopes on Imran, that as PM of the country, Khan will assist in providing justice to the model town victims.
Nevertheless, PAT hopes that under Imran’s Premiership, it will initiate the fresh investigations into Model town killings to avenge the atrocity inflicted on innocent people.
Qadri, who is also known as the political cousin of Khan, fully endorses Khan’s agenda, as announced by Khan in the victory address to the nation. Qadri appreciated Khan for defeating his opponents.
In a statement released after Imran’s emphatic win, Qadri said, “We wish the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf form government in Centre, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The allegations of rigging are common in Pakistan, and the losing party always speaks of rigging; however, the Sharif’s must pay respect to vote and accept the verdict of the people. Now, it is the responsibility of Imran Khan to provide justice to victim families of Model Town incident and hopefully, Imran Khan will honor this commitment.”
Read more: LHC has 14 days to wind up Model Town killing cases
Qadri’s jubilation is natural. He, along with Imran Khan, protested against PMLN’s government in a 3-month long protest in Islamabad in 2014.
Prior to elections, PAT chief had slammed Imran Khan. He had questioned Imran’s commitment and said, “If electives were necessary then why millions of people were humiliated, why were the protests held and commotion caused?”
I congratulate @ImranKhanPTI on the splendid victory and hope that PTI forms government in centre, Punjab along with KPK. Now the responsibility to deliver justice on Model Town case rests upon him. I fully endorse the agenda Imran Khan pronounced in his victory speech.
— Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri (@TahirulQadri) July 26, 2018
PAT also showed major reservations regarding the election process and decided to not contest the elections. Citing the corruption in Pakistan’s existing political system, PAT boycotted the election.
PAT has a long association with PTI, and had an on-off relationship; it expects Imran Khan to provide justice to Model Town victims after taking over the office. He said that “the responsibility to administer justice to the martyrs of Model Town tragedy and get the perpetrators jailed now lies on the shoulders of Imran Khan”.
Qadri pinned his hopes on Imran, that as PM of the country, Khan will assist in providing justice to the model town victims.
On June 17th, 2014 a tragedy unfolded at Minhaj-ul-Quran International. According to reports, at least 9 people, belonging to Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) were killed by the Punjab police, which acted on behest of the government, against the innocent, unarmed and peaceful workers. The victims included 2 pregnant women. Besides, hundreds were badly injured leaving some of them disabled for the rest of their lives.
The one-Judge judicial commission, comprising of Justice Baqir Ali Najfi of the Lahore High Court, held the Punjab government directly responsible for the bloodbath.
Read more: Imran and Zardari to join PAT protest against Model Town massacre
In 2014, PTI along with Tahir ul Qadri demonstrated against the PML-N government over the against alleged rigging in 2013 general elections and Model Town killings for 104 days.
PTI also participated in the failed rally against the Punjab government on January 17 at Mall Road, Lahore against injustice in illegal killings.
Despite a close relationship, for a common cause, both the parties never developed a consistent cordial relationship. Nevertheless, PAT hopes that under Imran’s Premiership, it will initiate the fresh investigations into Model town killings to avenge the atrocity inflicted on innocent people.
Shehbaz Sharif has always been reluctant to leave the Punjab CM slot, because, he fears that the case might be reopened. There has been a consensus that this carnage will go on to haunt Shehbaz. If PTI faces pressure from stakeholders to reopen the case, it can put Shehbaz in troubled waters.