Daily Times

LAHORE: Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Cheif Dr Tahirul Qadri has announced a countrywide protest movement against the PML-N government from January 17 as the deadline, given for the resignation of Punjab Cheif Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, has ended.

Holding Punjab government responsible for the Model Town incident, an ‘all parties conference’ (APC) called by the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) on December 30 had demanded the resignation of said authorities by January 7.

A day after the deadline ended, The representatives of the opposition parties, who participated in the APC, held a meeting and agreed to launch the protest movement against the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

“Now we will not ask them to resign; we will take resignations forcefully,” said Tahirul Qadri while addressing a press conference after the meeting.

We will continue to protest until the ruling government steps down, he added.

Qadri further said that the decision was made after holding consultation with other parties.

The PAT chief told the media that an action committee had been formed to look after administrative matters regarding the movement, adding the committee would hold its first meeting on January 11.

APC declaration demands Shehbaz, Sanaullah step down

Terming the incident as an “example of state terrorism”, the APC declaration had demanded the Punjab government step down in connection with the incident.

The declaration stated that Justice Baqir Najfi report on the Model Town incident had declared the Punjab government responsible for the tragedy, adding a sit-in can be staged in case the said authorities don’t resign.

It also demanded the Supreme Court form a judicial commission under its monitoring to provide justice to the victims of the incident.