ISLAMABAD — Controversial scholar and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri refused to talk to the government representatives and said that he will only speak to the representative of armed forces, Geo News reported on Monday.
Dr Qadri told the reporters from inside the aircraft at the Lahore airport that he will not disembark till his security is guaranteed by the military.
Addressing a press conference after his flight landed at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Dr Tahirul Qadri said that thousands of supporters are present at the Islamabad airport and questioned that why there sentiments being hurt by diverting his flight to Lahore and asking him to exit the plane.
He said that he is a Pakistani citizen and it is his right to land anywhere he wants. Dr Qadri said that it was not a right decision to divert his flight.
The PAT leader said that dictatorship rules Pakistan instead of democracy. He demanded an explanation for diverting his flight to Lahore.
Dr Qadri said that he will not exit the plane until any official of the armed forces arrives at the scene and provides him security. He agreed to leave for his residence in the military protection.
Earlier Emirates Airline flight EK-612 carrying Qadri landed at the main terminal of Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore Monday morning after being diverted from Islamabad, the News International reported.
According to media reports, Dr Qadri refused to leave the plane as the authorities took him to Lahore instead of Islamabad. He refused to talk to the government representatives and said that he will only speak to the representative of armed forces, Geo News reported on Monday.
Dr Qadri told the reporters from inside the aircraft at the Lahore airport that he will not disembark till his security is guaranteed by the military.
On the other hand, a large number of PAT supporters arrived at the Lahore airport after their leader’s flight was diverted from Islamabad
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) earlier told that the flight EK-612 of Emirates Airline carrying Dr Qadri was diverted to Lahore who was arriving from Dubai and landed at 9:35 am at the main terminal of Lahore airport.
The authority further told that other passengers will be flown to Islamabad after Dr Qadri is escorted at the Lahore airport.
On the other hand, a temporary helipad has been prepared at the Minhaj ul Quran Secretariat for the helicopter that will safely carry PAT chief to the secretariat.
Strict security measures were witnessed at the Lahore airport before Dr Qadri’s arrival.
Earlier, a larger number of PAT workers crossed all barriers to reach the Benazir International Airport to welcome their chief Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri who was expected to land in the federal capital earlier.
Dr Qadri’s supporters clashed with police and chanted slogans against the government as law enforcers tried to prevent them from reaching the airport. The police baton charged the supporters and resorted to using tear gas to disperse the crowd near Faizabad.
Following clashes with supporters, the police finally had to retreat after enraged activists pelted them with stones. Dozens of policemen were injured in the clashes, hospital sources told.
The protesters carrying banners and flags of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek, defying section 144 imposed by the government in the wake of the Qadris’ arrival continued their march to the airport.
