TAHIR-UL-QADRI PROTEST ON 23 JUNE 2014

Chief of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek, Dr Tahirul Qadri is expected to arrive in Pakistan to lead an anti-government alliance with the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and other political allies.

 "I have come to Pakistan with all my belongings and will not leave until revolution comes in the country," says Dr Tahirul Qadri who added that once he reached home, he would manage his own security and also ask party activists to disperse.

Due to security fears, entry and exit points in the twin cities (Islamabad and Rawalpindi) have been sealed by placing containers on the roads whereas cellular services will remain suspended till 2:00pm today.

Mobile services will remain suspended on Airport Road, Grassy Lane and Askari-8 areas.

On the other hand, motorway leading towards Islamabad has also been closed for traffic while Faizabad Interchange was blocked with containers.

The Emirates flight 612, carrying Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri from Dubai to Islamabad, has been diverted to Lahore.

The plane has landed in Lahore now and Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri, the Chairman of Pakistan Awami Tehreek, has been asked to disembark. However, he has refused to do so and wants to go to Islamabad instead

.

"Shahbaz Sharif is responsible for all this mischief and terrorism," he said. "Shahbaz is acting as the PM of this country. He should step down."

PML-N's Raja Zafarul Haq met Tahirul Qadri in the aircraft but failed to convince him to leave the plane. Qadri said he has no confidence in the Lahore police, adding that: "Let us go to Islamabad so that we can take care of our security ourselves."

Meanwhile hundreds of PAT workers have gathered at the Lahore Airport, waving flags and chanting slogans

Speaking to DawnNews via telephone, Dr Tahirul Qadri appealed to his supporters to remain calm and not harm anyone

PML-N's Raja Zafarul Haq met Tahirul Qadri in the aircraft but failed to convince him to leave the plane. Qadri said he has no confidence in the Lahore police, adding that: "Let us go to Islamabad so that we can take care of our security ourselves."

Qadri has called this state terrorism. He asked if the PML-N wants to shed more blood in Lahore. He has requested the army to take notice, the core commanders to come over and take responsibility for his life. Only then will he leave the airport. He accused the PML-N of allowing terrorist organizations to work with the police and called this plane diversion a “political hijack.”