Tahirul Qadri reaches Nasir Bagh to address public gathering

LAHORE - Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Chairman Dr Tahirul Qadri has arrived at Nasir Bagha where he will address the public gathering and unveil his future course of action.

Leader of different parties, including PTI's Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Chaudhry Sarwar, AML's Sheikh Rashid and others are present on the occasion.

Earlier today, Qadri arrived at Lahore airport from Oslo via Doha demanding justice for martyrs of Model Town tragedy.

A large number of PAT supporters and followers, who gathered at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, gave a warm welcome to their leader. A heavy contingent of police had been deployed around the airport in this regard.

Chaudhry Sarwar addressing the public gathering said that PTI was standing along PAT until justice is provided to the victims.

He urged the authorities to reveal inquiry report of Justice Baqar Najfi regarding the Model Town massacre.

AML chief Sheikh Rashid termed the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif a revenge for 14 martyrs of the tragedy. He claimed Nawaz Sharif is asking for NRO from army to get safe exit from prevailing political scenario.

He alleged that PML-N is going to stage rally on GT Road just to get NRO.

'Revenge for Model Town Incident'

Talking to media and supporters at the airport, Tahirul Qadri said the verdict of the Supreme Court regarding disqualification of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is a ray of hope for justice for the Model Town massacre in which seven people including PAT workers were killed.

Referring to Model Town tragedy and Panama verdict, Qadri said "the murderer is still to be captured but thief has also been exposed".

He termed the disqualification of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif a revenge for PAT workers who were murdered in Model Town in 2014.

Slamming the return of Nawaz Sharif to Lahore in form of rally via GT Road, he asked the PML-N to name the person against whom the rally is being staged, as the PAT had taken GT Road against the PML-N.

"I will reveal my future strategy at Nasir Bagh where leaders of other political parties will also be present," he said.

'Go Shehbaz Go'

Earlier, the PAT supremo had expressed that he intended to launch a campaign against Mian Shehbaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Punjab.

"We will now raise 'Go Shehbaz Go' slogans," Qadri said.

On July 13, after the Panama Joint Investigation Team (JIT) submitted its report to the apex court, he had announced his decision to visit Pakistan to force Nawaz Sharif to quit as allegations stood proven.

'Political Cousin'

During 2014 sit-ins against the government of PML-N, Qadri had joined hands with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, but later the two leaders parted ways.

However, PTI chief still calls Qadri a 'political cousin' of the party.