Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri and his Farcical Revolution

"Suddenly a man arrives in Pakistan from Canada and proclaims in his public speech that he is going to bring a change in the constitution of country; a man who holds two nationalities - Pakistani and Canadian; a man who portrays his concerns for the struggle for the enforcement of the constitution and the improvement in the electoral system of Pakistan; a man who lives in Canada for last several years and one day, all of a sudden, someone knocks on his brain to ponder over Pakistan's worsening situation; a man who gets backing for his mission from a political party led by two selfish brothers and a UK national who has been living in London since 90s leading a political party back in Pakistan; a man who calls on people to march to Islamabad for a revolution and declares that the revolution would be like a revolution erupted in Egypt. This man is none but  Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri.

Dr. Tahir ul Qadri set foot on pure soil of Pakistan and gave a public speech to his supporters from all over the country on 23rd december 2012. He left some smoke signals indicating to bring a revolution in Pakistan. A delegation was sent by MQM - a political party - of around fifty political activists (leaders) to welcome Dr. Qadri and to attend his supporters' congregation in Lahore at Minar-e-Pakistan Park. MQM praised him for his return to Pakistan. Soon, another political party PML-Q showed their support to Dr. Qadri. Moreover, the whole drama also got augmented on the local media. Media aroused curiosity in people about Dr. Qadri's visit in Pakistan. Shortly, Dr. Qadri got an invitation from MQM to address the public in Karachi and to call the people for 'a march to Islamabad'. Dr. Qadri and Mr. Altaf Hussain, the Chief of MQM, praised each other and vowed to support each other for the march. Dr. Qadri asserted that his purpose of coming to Pakistan is not to derail the democratic system but to force the government to make changes in the electoral system according to the constitution. He declared that he gives the  government the deadline of 15 days to implement the changes or face the huge procession of people marching towards Islamabad on 14th January. This procession could turn Islamabad into something like 'Tahrir Square of Pakistan'. Earlier in Cairo, Egypt, a revolution erupted at Tahrir Square for democracy against the dictatorship of Hosni Mubarak. Dr. Qadri tried to dissociate himself from foreign elements by declaring that he does not enjoy any backing from any agency, political party, or any international agency and he also has not come Pakistan to cause any disruption in holding elections. He also said that his decision to participate in the elections is still in the air.

By pondering over his comments, one can draw many hypothesis from this whole drama. First, let us look at the hypocrisy of the two main political parties, PML-Q and MQM. Although both the parties are in the coalition with main ruling political party - PPP, both have shown their support to Dr. Qadri to their fullest. How can any party turn against their own government; what a farcical it is! Secondly, Dr. Qadri referred the march as similar to Tahrir Square in Egypt; The background is totally different here. Revolution is not about bringing a few changes in the system, however revolution is about bringing a change in the system within from its roots. In Egypt, people wanted to bring about changes in the constitution right into its roots, they did not want a few minor superficial changes. The march in Egypt was against the regime of Hosni Mubarak, an army dictator, and the people of Egypt had become sick of his rule. Dr. Qadri says that he believes in democratic system. If he does so, he should participate in the coming elections and bring changes in the constitution by taking legal steps already provided in the constitution through parliament. That could have been more logical step. If he doesn't believe in the democracy then he can derail democracy and  bring about a change by a revolution from within its roots. In Egypt, Muslim Brotherhood party believed in the democracy and therefore, they participated in the elections and won the elections. This was an approval by the people that the want a complete overhaul of the system. If, instead of Dr. Qadri, it was Difa-e-Pakistan, and if, they would have announced a march to Islamabad, that could have added up.

Furthermore, why these two political parties are supporting Dr. Qadri? It is because, either they are afraid of their shriveling due to government's and supreme court's new strategies for the coming elections or to divert the attention of people from the call of the supreme court to a person, MQM Chief Altaf hussain, to present himself in the court on 7th Jaunary? Who brought MQM and Dr. Qadri near to each other? Who is backing the march? Who is that someone who knocked on the brain of Dr. Qadri to give a thought to Pakistan's situation? What is the aim of Dr. Qadri - to threaten Mr. Zardari or Mr. Nawaz? or if there is any International interest behind this all drama?

In my opinion, it is an international game. It reminds me of Dr. Mirza who had earlier said that few parties/people are trying to create a situation in Pakistan that could allow international interference in Pakistan. If you ponder well, the persons supporting the march are those who have lived/been living abroad, have dual nationalities, have their self-interests; have seen constant international support for themselves in the past. So, the question is arising here that 'How could we anticipate a revolution or a better change for the country by these persons?' Therefore, this so called call for a revolution doesn't suggest any betterment for the country, instead of that, God forbid - it might give rise to the violence - a situation like Libya, where NATO forces interfered in the country; and there must be any third party (in Pakistan) supporting this agenda; and people know who could be that 'third party'. 


Lastly, i would suggest people to analyse the facts and figures before being part of any march; the credibility of the person who is calling for the march, his past track record and the purpose of the march should be analysed. The facts and figures of Dr. Qadri's call doesn't suggest anyone to take part in his march, because that could turnout to be very dangerous for the country. 


These are just my thoughts above that i have shaped in words. If someone gets hurt, then I can't do anything ;)