LAHORE: Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri has strongly condemned the killing of his party workers during a violent clash with police in Lahore, declaring that the government’s days are numbered and a revolution is imminent.
Clashes Leave Eight Dead, Dozens Injured
The deadly confrontation occurred outside the Minhaj-ul-Quran International (MQI) Secretariat in Lahore’s Model Town area, where eight people, including two women, were killed and nearly 80 others injured. The clashes began around 2:00 AM, when a large police force backed by bulldozers and heavy machinery attempted to remove security barriers placed outside the MQI premises.
PAT workers resisted the operation, leading to hours of unrest. Dr. Qadri accused the police of state terrorism, saying the crackdown was politically motivated.
FIR to Be Registered Against PM and Punjab CM
Addressing his followers via video link, Dr. Qadri said that the First Information Report (FIR) for the killings would be registered against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. He held both leaders directly responsible for the incident.
“These barriers were in place for four years and had caused no disruption,” said Qadri. “The real motive behind the police operation was not to remove obstacles but to execute three hidden political objectives.”
PAT Chief Condemns Use of Lethal Force
Dr. Qadri claimed that police opened fire directly on unarmed and peaceful PAT supporters. He praised his followers for showing restraint, stating that he had instructed them not to retaliate, even when being fired upon.
“If our workers had returned fire, police personnel could have been killed—but we chose peace,” he emphasized.
Tribute to Martyred Workers, Return Date Confirmed
The PAT chief paid tribute to the martyrs, saying their blood would not go in vain and would serve as fuel for the coming revolution. “Those who laid down their lives are the heroes of this movement,” he said.
He also confirmed that he would return to Pakistan on June 23 as previously scheduled, despite the worsening political crisis.
