Anti-government cleric returns to Pakistan, supporters clash with police
Mon, Jun 23 07:00 AM EDT
image
1 of 2
By Katharine Houreld and Mubasher Bukhari
LAHORE Pakistan (Reuters) - A prominent cleric returned to Pakistan on Monday to lead what he calls a peaceful revolution against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as his supporters fought pitched battles with police firing tear gas in the capital Islamabad.
Tahirul Qadri, a Pakistani preacher turned political activist who lives in Canada, is a divisive figure in Pakistan, where he made headlines last year by leading mass rallies against the previous government.
As a plane carrying Qadri approached Benazir Bhutto International Airport near Islamabad, violence broke out on the ground as police fired tear gas at 2,000 of his supporters in chaotic scenes rarely seen in the orderly capital.
The authorities, fearing an escalation of unrest, diverted the commercial flight to the eastern city of Lahore.
"We want no corruption, we want no terrorism in our country," Qadri told Reuters aboard the plane. "We want total transparency of institutions."
Qadri's sudden ascent to prominence has prompted speculation that the army, which ruled Pakistan for decades, may be using him as a proxy in efforts to sideline the civilian government. His comeback comes at an uneasy time for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, whose civilian government has failed to engage Taliban militants in peace talks, prompting the army to launch a major offensive against the militants.
Even after the aircraft landed in Lahore, Qadri and his supporters refused to leave the plane for hours, demanding it fly back to Islamabad or for the army to send a representative to protect him.
He eventually disembarked and was escorted to his residence in Lahore, his main base in the country. Outside Lahore airport, about 1,000 supporters held a peaceful rally shouting "Long live Qadri".
Qadri's spokesman, Shahid Mursaleen, said he wanted to stage an Arab spring-style revolt and install a government that would enforce reform, tackle terrorism and improve accountability.
"He wants to bring a peaceful democratic revolution," Mursaleen told Reuters. "He wants to topple the whole system."
ARMY'S BACKING
It is hard to estimate Qadri's popularity in a country with few reliable opinion polls, but his sympathy for the army could catapult him to the centre of a brewing protest movement.
Discontent with the government is already high due to power shortages that have crippled the economy as well as a persistent Taliban insurgency which stages attacks around the country.
Reflecting the government's anxiety, police had placed cargo containers along major roads to restrict access to Islamabad airport and blocked mobile phone services to disrupt communication between the demonstrators.
At least eight people, including a policeman, were killed in Lahore last week when protesters clashed with police in a standoff over Qadri.
"Long live the army!" and "Revolution will come!" chanted his supporters, who had gathered outside the airport in the military garrison city of Rawalpindi near Islamabad.
"We just want to give a peaceful welcome to our leader, but they (government) pounded us with heavy tear gas," said one protester, Tajamul Hussain, in his early 20s.
"Their days are numbered, God willing, Doctor Qadri will bring revolution to Pakistan.
(Writing by Maria Golovnina; additional reporting by Syed Raza Hassan in Islamabad; Editing by Ron Popeski)
======================
Emirates Airlines has imposed a lifetime travel ban on Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri and is also considering initiating legal proceedings against him for keeping the aircraft ‘hostage’ for several hours at Lahore airport after the flight was diverted by the Pakistani government to Lahore from Islamabad over security concerns, a private news channel has reported.
According to the channel, the airliner was forced to take the decision after Qadri refused to get off the aircraft in Lahore and also barred other passengers from disembarking until he negotiated a deal with the provincial authorities.
The airliner believes that this act of Qadri was tantamount to hijacking therefore it was mulling legal options.
===============================
LAHORE: The Emirates airline plans to file a suit over the damages caused to its reputation by the enforced diversion of its plane carrying Dr Tahirul Qadri on Monday.
Official sources told Dawn that the airline had told the Civil Aviation Authority that it had been upset by the diversion of its flight EK-612 Dubai-Islamabad to Lahore, causing a great deal of inconvenience to passengers on the plane and those waiting at the airport to fly to Dubai.
The plane was scheduled to reach Islamabad at 8am on Monday and return to Dubai at 9.30am after picking passengers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related: Plane diversion was Rafiq's idea
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But the government did not allow the aircraft to land at Islamabad to foil Dr Qadri’s plan to go to Lahore by road to demonstrate his political strength.
“The Emirates pilots were shocked to receive the ‘order’ to take the plane to Lahore because there was no issue of weather or airport occupancy,” sources said.
Because of the diversion of the plane, it missed its scheduled departure to Dubai from Islamabad.
After it left for Islamabad in the evening, the Emirates administration informed the CAA that it intended to file for damages.
The sources said the airline was also considering to “blacklist” Dr Qadri.
“An airliner blacklists a person who puts the lives of other passengers in jeopardy or causes them inconvenience by his action,” a CAA official said.
The PIA blacklisted some 10 people for their behaviour leading to diversion of its flight from Manchester to Stansted Airport last year.
The official said he believed that the Emirates would not consider suspending its flight operation to Pakistan because it had good business here.
However,
CAA spokesperson Abid Kaimkhani said he was not aware of any warning by the Emirates. “The airline might have contacted the local (Lahore-based) administration of the CAA. But I have no knowledge of it,” he said.Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2014 =================================== Plane diversion was Rafiq’s idea By Mohammad Asghar Published about 4 hours ago The plan to divert Tahirul Qadri's plane to Lahore was suggested by Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Dawn has learnt.—File Photo RAWALPINDI: Initially the government had two options to get Dr Tahirul Qadri to Lahore once he had arrived at Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIA) on Monday morning – either use a Fokker ATR27 aeroplane to airlift him to Lahore or a helicopter of the Punjab government. However, both these options were ignored when Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq suggested that the flight not be allowed to land at BBIA and be diverted to Lahore, sources said. However, before Rafiq’s suggestion was made and accepted, as many as 175 Elite Force commandoes along with 17 female commandos in plainclothes were brought to the airport at around 3am on Monday. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Related: Qadri threatens to topple govt, vows to lead 'revolution' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Elite Force, which was formed in 1997-98 by then chief minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif, was led by DSP Rana Shahid and DSP Raja Taifoor. They took positions on the apron of the airport (where the Emirates flight was to land); the Fokker and the helicopter were also parked nearby. According to a security official, the Fokker ATR27 was to be used if Dr Qadri agreed to be transported to Lahore but if he resisted then the plan was to bundle him on to the helicopter. The Pakistan International Airlines Fokker, which was to be used for airlifting Dr Qadri to Lahore, was scheduled to fly to Skardu on Monday but the flight was cancelled to free the aircraft.
“In case he did not agree, Dr Qadri was to be picked up by the Elite Force commandos and put in the helicopter,” a security official revealed on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to talk to the media.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also read: Qadri, 1,300 supporters booked on terror charges -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- But as is now well known, this plan was changed at the last moment. Commissioner Rawalpindi division and Regional Police Officer were both present at the airport to monitor the situation. Dawn has learnt that the railways minister suggested the diversion plan. As a result, the pilot was not given clearance for landing at BBIA; PML-Q leaders and the PAT workers waiting for Dr Qadri were not aware of what was happening till 8.50am when the flight’s diversion to Lahore was announced. In the meantime, the aircraft remained in the air. Once it was told to fly to Lahore, the airport authorities said that the plane was diverted for security concerns. Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2014 ============================================================ Live updates: Lahore airport in lockdown as govt-Qadri stalemate continues Averting a standoff: Volatile security situation forced diversion By Irfan Ghauri Published: June 24, 2014 “If the government had any plan to divert the plane to Lahore, we would have conveyed it to the pilot soon after the aircraft entered Pakistani airspace,” a top government official told The Express Tribune. PHOTO: EXPRESS ISLAMABAD: Authorities in the federal capital decided at the last minute to divert the Emirates flight carrying Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri from Islamabad to Lahore due to the fragile security situation on the ground, government sources have revealed. The initial plan, according to these sources, incorporated two or three different options, none of which called for diverting the plane to Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport. “If the government had any plan to divert the plane to Lahore, we would have conveyed it to the pilot soon after the aircraft entered Pakistani airspace,” a top government official told The Express Tribune. “The plane circled eight times around Islamabad airport before it was diverted to Lahore,” he said. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who was supervising security, took the decision after assessing the situation and conveyed it to the aviation authorities, added the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The government’s initial plan called for airlifting Qadri to Lahore using a helicopter or small plane as soon as his flight landed at Benazir International Airport. Police was tasked with keeping protesters at least a few miles away from the airport area. They were instructed, however, to not use tear gas or batons on protesters. But the plans came unstuck when PAT activists broke through all security barriers, reaching just outside the airport building. This left no other barrier between protesters and the airport building in the event the situation worsened, save for a few dozen Rangers and Airport Security Force (ASF) officials guarding the other side of the steel fence that serves as the airport’s boundary wall. The retreating policemen were engaged in skirmishes with PAT activists on the other end of the road instead of serving as a barrier before the airport building. There was a possibility that the protesters would resort to violence once Qadri was airlifted from the airport, prompting security personnel to open fire, government sources said. The incident not only earned the country a bad name, but also caused financial loss to the Emirates Airline, whose flight schedule was disturbed. When Qadri refused to come out of the plane in Lahore, leaving the aircraft stranded, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif instructed aviation adviser Shujaat Azeem to contact the administration of Emirates Airline. Azeem offered to send the passengers stranded in Lahore and Islamabad to Dubai using a PIA plane, but Emirates declined it and informed Pakistani authorities that it was sending another aircraft to replace the crew of flight EK-612. According to international aviation rules, a pilot cannot fly for more than eight hours on a trip. As EK-612 was stuck at Lahore airport for almost 12 hours, that duration was already consumed. The flight took off from Lahore airport in the evening and reached Islamabad at 10:40pm. Some media reports suggested Emirates could blacklist Qadri and bar him from using the airline in the future. This could not be confirmed, though. Published in The Express Tribune, June 24th, 2014. By Web Desk / Anwar Sumra / Akbar Bajwa Published: June 23, 2014 Express News of Tahirul Qadri in his plane. PAT supporters hold up banners and chant slogans outside the airport. PHOTO: REUTERS Express News screengrab of Tahirul Qadri in his plane. Express News screengrab of PAT supporters at Lahore airport. Express News screengrab of the clashes. Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Tahirul Qadri. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE . ISLAMABAD / LAHORE / RAWALPINDI / KARACHI: A sense of anticipation hangs over the capital as cleric-cum-political leader Tahirul Qadri lands back in Pakistan to throw up one of the bigger political challenges to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) year-old government. As supporters of PAT chief Tahirul Qadri fervently wait for their leader to kickoff his movement against the ruling government, a sense of anxiety and uncertainty has enveloped the country. Major roads have been blocked off and security has been tightened in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Earlier this week, at least ten people were killed and scores injured in Lahore when violent clashes erupted between the police and followers of Qadri – the deadliest political confrontation in Lahore since emergency rule was imposed by General Musharraf in 2007. As Qadri plans to go head-to-head with the government for a second time, get all the updates here. All stories relating to Qadri’s rally can also be found on this trend page as well. [Read: AFP version and Reuters version of the clashes that took place today] ============= government and will only let my personal guard come close to me.” Qadri also says media vans should also be allowed to go with him. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 1:00pm Jamaat-e-Islaami leader Sirajul Haq says “the world would have not ended if the plane was allowed to land in Islamabad.” “The government is making mistakes by mishandling the situation and only strengthening Qadri’s movement.” ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ===================================================== June 23, 12:55pm CAA spokesperson says they want to resolve the matter as soon as possible. “We are in talks with the government,” he says. CAA denies that Emirates had made any request to the aviation authority. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 12:51pm Punjab Law Minister Rana Mashood says Qadri should act responsibly. “PAT supporters attacking Islamabad police reflect the ideas they believe in,” adds Mashood. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 12:49pm Express News reports that Qadri is consulting PML-Q Punjab president Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and AML chief Sheikh Rasheed regarding the issue. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 12:46pm Express News reports that the government has tried to contact Qadri and offered to take him to his house. Government has offered to provide Qadri with a helicopter and bullet-proof vehicle. Qadri has refused all the offers made by the government. An MQM delegation has entered the plane to meet Qadri. Express News screengrab of Qadri’s plane. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 12:43pm PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira, while speaking to Express News, says it is regrettable how government handled the situation. “On top of that, the government is not even admitting its mistakes,” Kaira adds. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 12:32pm PML-N leader Mian Javed Latif says Qadri is bent upon creating disturbance in the country. He questions why PAT supporters are present at the airport armed with sticks if they are peaceful. “If Qadri talks about changing the system, why was he part of this system in 2002,” adds Latif. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 12:24pm According to Express News, Emirates administration wants the plane to be evacuated immediately. The airline officials have contacted DG Civil Aviation Authority and state advisor for aviation. Administration of the airline says the plane has to proceed to the next destination. Emirates says the aircraft needs to fly back to Dubai and continue with its routine flights. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 12:23pm Express News reports that PAT supporters are present inside Lahore airport’s passenger lounge. Airport Security Force did not stop the supporter from entering the lounge because they were in large number. The security around the airport has been beefed up. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 12:12pm PPP senior leader Aitzaz Ahsan, while speaking to Express News, says Qadri might lose support because he is inside Emirates plane and that the government has no control over the international aircraft. Ahsan says Qadri should not be stubborn and make a compromise to resolve the deadlock. Express News anchorperson Javed Chaudhry says Emirates has contacted the government over this issue. The PPP leader says government has overplayed the situation and given advantage to Qadri. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 11:56am Express News correspondent Talib Faridi reports that Qadri has refused to listen to the government. PML-N leader Raja Zafarul Haq assures Qadri that he will provide security to him and make sure he reaches his home safely. However, Qadri refuses to accept his offer and says his plane should be taken back. “Even if I decide to get off the plane, I will leave via the main exit and not old or Hajj terminals.” Qadri expresses fear he will be detained as soon as he disembarks the plane. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 11:51am Our correspondent Akbar Bajwa reports more than 150 police officials in civvies have been deployed at the Lahore airport, a police official told The Express Tribune. Elite police commandos are also present at the airport. Acting CCPO Lahore Zulfiqar Hameed, along with DCO Lahore Capt (retd) Usman have arrived at the airport as well. The acting CCPO is directly monitoring the police deployment in the airport, as well as the city. Express News screengrab of Qadri supporters (L) and police (R) in Lahore. Cellular services have also been suspended in several parts of the city, including the airport. Two rescue vehicles have been placed at and kept on alert at the airport. Dozens of PAT activists have thronged the international terminal of the Lahore airport. SP Traffic Azhar Gujjer has also arrived at the airport, while extra traffic wardens have also been deployed. Hundreds of policemen have been deployed near the Pakistan Awami Tehreek secretariat, where arrangements for a makeshift helipad are underway. Reporters are not allowed to enter the airport premises while their vehicles have been forced out of the airport parking. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 11:50am The Lahore police had chalked out different security plans for Dr Qadri’s arrival. According to a source, if the PAT chief were to arrive in Lahore from Islamabad through the GT road, 12, 000 police personnel would have been deployed for Qadri’s security all the way from Imamia colony till his residence, while 500 traffic wardens would look after the route. However, the policemen have now been deployed along the route from the Lahore airport to the PAT secretariat in Model Town. According to the plan, containers will be placed near the Punjab assembly, outside the CCPO office and the Governor House on Monday. In a meeting on Sunday, IGP Mushtaq Sukhera directed senior police officials to ensure that policemen deployed at the PAT rally carry rubber bullets and not open fire under any circumstances and should wait for orders from senior officials. An SP in the city, who attended the meeting, said that the IGP also directed policemen to maintain a distance from the rally. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 11:47am Express News reports a four-member government negotiation team has entered the plane to talk to Qadri. Seven passengers have been escorted out of the plane and brought to the waiting lounge. Express News reports that PML-N leader Raja Zafarul Haq fails to convince Qadri. Qadri also refuses to hand his passport to immigration officials. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 11:27am Express News reports that PAT supporters have also gathered at Karachi’s Numaish Chowrangi. This is one of the busiest thoroughfares of the city. Express News screengrab of PAT supporters at Numaish Chowrangi in Karachi. Men, women and children are chanting slogans against the government. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 11:21am Speaking to Express News, Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed says the government is repeating its past mistake and will face consequences. He says “Qadri’s movement has caught momentum and will only grow further.” “According to my information, government is well aware of the threats faced by Qadri but they are only creating chaos instead of handling the situation sensibly.” ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 11:18am Express News anchor Shahzeb Khanzada said on twitter: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 11:07am Express News correspondent Mian Aslam reports that groups of PAT supporters have arrived at Lahore airport and are staging a sit-in at the airport’s departure area. Carrying party flags, the supporters say they are here to welcome their leader. The supporters have not faced any resistance so far by the police. Aslam reports that senior PAT leadership is also present with the supporters and are meeting airport officials and inquiring about the situation. Aslam reports the number of supporters continues to increase as more and more PAT workers arrive at the airport. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 11:06am Radio Pakistan tweeted: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 11:01am Railway Minister Rafique says “the government has never stopped its opposition from protesting or staging dharnas.” However, he adds, opponents should not provoke its supporters to violence. When asked whether the government will use force to bring Qadri out of the plane or not, Rafique says “that is what Qadri wants the government to do but it will not use force.” ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 10:58am Railway Minister Rafique says Qadri has hijacked the plane and not allowing passengers to get out. Calling him a conspirator, Rafique says Qadri just wants to create agitation. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 10:57am Railway Minister Saad Rafique says the army is busy fighting a war against terrorists and Qadri is trying to divert the nation’s attention away from the operation. “I wonder someone who has issued fatwas against terrorists is doing such a thing.” Rafique says he was not allowed to land in Islamabad only after hundreds of his supporters, armed with sticks, gathered outside the airport. “We feared the situation might get out of control.” ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 10:55am Our correspondent Anwer Sumra reports that police force has been deployed at the airport and surrounding areas. A contingent of the elite force has also been deployed on the road leading to the airport. CCPO Lahore Zulfikar Hamid is personally supervising police force at the airport. Special commandos have been deployed around the Emirates aircraft carrying Qadri. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 10:52am A spokesperson for Civil Aviation Authority tells AFP Qadri’s flight has been diverted to Lahore “to ensure the safety of the passengers and aircraft”. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 10:48am Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid (PML-Q) leader Pervaiz Elahi, while speaking to Express News, says the government is repeating the October 12, 1999 history. “PM Nawaz is again manipulating the landing of a plane.” PML-Q leader Elahi says army has been called to only resolve the current situation and nothing else. He says “Qadri doesn’t trust anyone and is concerned about the safety of his supporters.” The PML-Q leader adds there is no shame in calling army for assistance. He says the government calls Rangers when it thinks police need support and so it should request army to assist Qadri. He adds “the movement for revolution has started and that it cannot be stopped.” ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 10:44am Punjab Law Minister Rana Mashood has said that workers of Pakistan Awami Tehreek have not been arrested anywhere in Punjab, Radio Pakistan reports. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 10:42am Qadri accuses Sharif brothers of plotting against him. “There are hundreds of Gullu Butts in police force and we fear them,” says Qadri. Qadri tells Express News again that he has not been contacted by anyone so far for negotiation. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 10:40am Benazir Bhutto International Airport is live again after temporary suspension of flight operations. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 10:38am Qadri says the PML-N government has held the entire country hostage. “I will not board any plane provided by the government, I want a helicopter provided by the army,” he demands. “I’m requesting the army and I know they are listening,” he tells Express News. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 10:36am Qadri tells his supporters to stay where they are and remain peaceful. “I emphasise that there should be no violence; we will fight these political terrorists with peace.” “Nawaz has hijacked this plane and I will file a case against him and his brother Shahbaz Sharif,” the PAT cheif says while speaking to Express News. Qadri says “if corps commander comes and provides security, I won’t stay inside the plane even for a second.” Army has been called in multiple times in Karachi and Hyderabad, Qadri says. “The armed forces have intervened many times in the past and it should come to help us,” Qadri remarks. “We are not calling the army for martial law but our security,” the party chief further says. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 10:31am The PAT chief says, “the government has diverted so many passengers to a different city without their permission.” “Passengers who want to disembark are free to leave the plane, however, those refusing to get off are doing it according to their own will,” he states. On government’s claim that Qadri’s life is under threat in Islamabad, Qadri says his life is under a greater threat in Lahore than the federal capital. He says “the government is acting hysterically and stopping me from landing in Islamabad because they fear me.” ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 10:24am Qadri, from his plane, says “whoever comes to meet me will first have to negotiate with me.” “The Sharif government is a murderous state. They have killed many of our supporters. We have confirmed reports they have hired terrorists to carry out attacks on their opponents.” “How can we negotiate with those who support terrorists,” he adds. “I only trust the army; their high officials should come and escort us safely to our home.” “We will sit here until or unless army officials come here and assure us of our safety,” Qadri demands. He says he has not been contacted yet by government or army officials. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 10:16am Our reporter Abdul Manan who is at the Minhajul Quran Secretariat in Lahore, reports that mobile jammers have been installed and there is moderate security there. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 10:14am Rashid says the act of PAT supporters blocking the plane exits is technically hijacking the plane. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 10:12am According to Express News anchorperson Imran Khan, PAT supporters are standing at the exits of the plane and are insisting they want to go to Islamabad and not Lahore. Express News reports that 90 percent of the passengers in the plane are Qadri supporters. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 10:10am Minister of Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique in a text message to Express News anchorperson Javed Chaudhry says the government has not arrested Qadri and that he is free to go home. Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, while speaking to Express News, says Qadri is a free man and he is free to go his home. He, however, adds that the plane was diverted to Lahore because that is where his house and office are. He further states the plane was diverted to ensure Qadri’s safety. “The government has never stopped any politician from their work; we have never stopped Sheikh Rasheed or Imran Khan, so why will we stop Qadri,” he says. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 10:08am ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 10:06am Qadri has refused to talk to or negotiate with any government official, adding that he will only speak to a member of the armed forces. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 10:04am Our correspondent Anwar Sumra, who is at the Lahore airport, is reporting that passengers on board the plane have protested against the diversion and demanded the plane be taken to Islamabad. Qadri has asked why the armed forces are remaining silent on ‘state terrorism’ being carried out by the government. He claimed that the government has deployed terrorists in police uniforms at the airport. “I cannot negotiate with the government because I don’t trust them. I would like the armed forces, such as the Corps Commander to intervene to ensure my security and negotiate with me.” ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 9:48am According to Minjahul Quran spokesperson, Qadri has refused to get off from the plane. He wanted to come from Islamabad to Lahore peacefully, he added. Commandos have surrounded Qadri’s plane. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 9:36am Qadri’s plane has landed at Lahore airport, Express News reported. Around 150 to 200 policemen have been deployed in civilian clothes at the airport. PAT supporters have not reached Lahore airport as of yet. Two helipads were made on orders of the district coordination officer, one in the city’s Model Town and the other in Punjab University. A helicopter is also at the airport. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 9:32am ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 9:14am The official airport website had said that the plane has landed in Islamabad. However, it has transpired that Qadri’s plane has been diverted to Lahore, according to Emirates website. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 8:52am Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has categorically stated that no one will be allowed to march on Islamabad in the guise of holding demonstrations or sit-ins, Radio Pakistan reported. In a statement issued in Islamabad, Nisar said that it is responsibility of the government to facilitate Tahirul Qadri and his companions to reach Lahore safely. He said it is not understandable why Tahirul Qadri is landing in Islamabad when he wants to go to Lahore. The interior minister said all the security agencies are presently focusing on the war against terrorism, and it is beyond understanding why Tahirul Qadri wants to create a hurdle in it. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 8:44am Qadri is expected to announce his plan of action upon his arrival. MQM leader Haider Rizvi said on twitter that a delegation of the party has reached the airport to receive the PAT chief: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 8:25am Qadri’s plane has landed at Benazir International Airport, according to the official website of the airport. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 8:06am Chaudhry Shujaat and Kamil Ali Agha have been allowed to enter Islamabad airport’s Rawal Lounge, our correspondent Irfan Ghauri reports. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 8:06am Earlier, The Express Tribune reported that the government is likely to transport PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri to Lahore via a helicopter or a chartered aircraft as soon as he lands at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad. You can read the story here. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 7:51am There is big build-up at the main gate of Islamabad airport with even PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat among the crowd stuck outside, The Express Tribune correspondents Azam Khan and Fawad Ali report. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23 7:15am A helipad and two bulletproof land cruisers are reportedly on standby near the Minhajul Quran Secretariat in Lahore on orders of the District Coordination Officer, Express News reported. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 6:43am PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat has reached the airport, Express News reported. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 6:43am PAT supporters have managed to remove barricades and containers and occupy Islamabad airport’s Gate No.1, Express News reported. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 6:35am Aerial surveillance of Benazir International Airport is underway while Rangers have also been deployed at the airport. Section 144 has been imposed till tomorrow afternoon. A ban has been imposed on pillion riding and mobile services have been suspended, Express News reported. Express News screengrab. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 6:05am PAT supporters have crossed barriers after violent clashes with the police and reached the airport. The army has been put on high alert. Express News screengrab. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… June 23, 6:00am Violent clashes have ensued since 3am in the morning in Islamabad between Qadri supporters and police, including reported incidents of tear gassing by police. Thirty policemen and 10 protesters are reportedly injured. You can read the story here. Express News screengrab. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Qadri took the country by storm last year after returning from Canada, where he has lived for seven years. Qadri’s appeared at the forefront of Pakistan’s political landscape with a massive rally in Lahore on Dec. 23 in which he demanded that President Asif Ali Zardari’s government resign to make way for a caretaker administration led by technocrats.
