14th January will be a historic day on which foundation would be laid for a new Pakistan: Dr Raheeq Abbasi
A delegation of Tehreek-i-Minhaj-ul-Quran headed by Dr Raheeq Abbasi visited Nine Zero and extended a formal invitation to the Co-ordination Committee of the MQM to participate in long march being organized by the Pakistan Awami Tehreek in Islamabad on 14th January. The delegation met Deputy Conveners of the Co-ordination Committee Dr Farooq Sattar and Senator Mrs Nasrin Jalil. Other members of the committee were also present on the occasion.
The invitation was received by Dr Sattar who assured the delegation that the Co-ordination Committee would inform PAT after holding a joint meeting of the committee in London and Pakistan.
Speaking to the journalists and media persons after holding a meeting with the delegation Dr Sattar said that the vision and programme of Dr Qadri is the same which has been preached by Mr Hussain for the past 35 years.
"Mr Hussain has announced unqualified support to the programme of basic reforms presented by Dr Qadri because the elimination of corruption from the political system of the country is wanted by everyone in the country."
"Dr Qadri has embarked on a noble cause and Mr Hussain has prayed for his success because it would ultimately empower the 98 per cent of the people belonging to the poor and middle classes and free them from the tyranny of 2 per cent ruling elite."
"The political system of the country is enveloped in heavy mist and time is coming when this mist would be lifted."
Talking to the journalists Dr Abbasi said that a formal invitation has been given to the MQM and 14th January would be a historic day when foundation for a new Pakistan would be laid.
He said, "Oppression, injustice and exploitation would be removed and foundation would be laid for a truly democratic and welfare state."
"We hope that your invitation would be accepted as our unity and co-operation is the national security and integrity. It will be the march of the Pakistan nation who will make a new history on 14th January."
Dr Raheeq thanked Mr Hussain for sending a 50-member delegation to the PAT jalsa in Lahore on 23rd December and for extending support to the programme of reforms presented by Dr Qadri.
He said, "Our march would be peaceful but it is the responsibility of the government to take appropriate security measures for the march."
In response to a question Dr Raheeq said, "We have presented our demands and given a deadline to the government to accept them by 10th January. The National Assembly and all four provincial assemblies should dissolved before 10th January and a broad-based caretaker system having confidence of all stakeholders should be put in place. The caretaker set up should have the support of the people of Pakistan and it should have an agenda for making reforms. Elections should be held on time after the reforms process is completed."
"If our demands are not accepted then the march would be held and it would continue till the acceptance of the demands."
The delegation included president of PAT Dr SM Zamir, Amir of Karachi chapter of the Minhaj-ul-Quran Haji Muhammad Iqbal, Co-ordinator of PAT Sindh Qazi Zahid Hussain, Amir of Minhaj-ul-Quran Sindh Makhdoom Nadeem Hussain, General Secretary of PAT Sindh Syed Ausat Ali and others.
Members of the Co-ordination Committee of the MQM present on the occasion included Saleem Shahzad, Dr Sagheer Ahmed, Raza Haroon, Wasim Aftab, and Kunwar Khalid Yunus. MQM leader Amir Khan was also present.