Pakistan cleric calls off Islamabad protest
PAKISTAN: A Pakistani cleric late Thursday called off a mass protest
in Islamabad, averting a major political crisis and reaching a deal with
the government that paves the way for elections within months.
The decision, hours after the Supreme Court adjourned an alleged
corruption case against Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf having earlier
ordered his arrest, gives the government breathing space after three
days of high tensions.
Pakistan has been weakened by a poor economy, resurgent Taliban
violence, record sectarian unrest, a dire energy crisis and even
fledgling peace gains with India have appeared in jeopardy following
five recent cross-border killings.
Tension had been at fever pitch since Tuesday, when the court ordered
Ashraf’s arrest and cleric Tahir-ul Qadri arrived in Islamabad with tens
of thousands of supporters, denouncing politicians and praising the
armed forces and judiciary.
The timing sparked panic about a rumoured judiciary-military plot to
derail elections due by mid-May. The polls, if on schedule, would be the
first democratic transition between two civilian governments in
Pakistan’s history.
There were few signs of any significant government concessions in the
deal reached on Thursday, which stated that parliament would be
dissolved at any time before March 16 so that elections can take place
within 90 days.
The government had previously said parliament would dissolve on March
17.
But Qadri hailed it as victory for the protesters, estimated to
number around 25,000 in the largest ever demonstration in the capital
since the current government took office in 2008.
“I congratulate you. Today is the day of victory for the people of
Pakistan. You should go home as peacefully as you came here,” Qadri told
participants after signing the deal with the prime minister.
Qadri’s supporters danced and cheered in a carnival-style atmosphere
despite the chilly winter night, before packing their bags, collecting
up mattresses and blankets, and getting in their vehicles to leave, an
AFP reporter said. AFP
“I am very happy. I can’t explain it. We felt the cold very badly in
the last few days but we’re happy that we’ve been successful in our
mission and we want rights for the next generation,” said 26-year-old
housewife Muqaddas Zulfiqar, holding her two-year-old son.
“If we had to stay here longer, we would have stayed.” Qadri, cabinet
ministers and members of the coalition negotiated for hours in the
bullet-proof container where the cleric has been holed up since early
Tuesday while his supporters have slept on the ground outside.
“I congratulate you. Today this is another victory for democracy,”
Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira told the crowd, standing
alongside Qadri.
“This is your victory. This is Qadri’s victory. This is my victory
and this is the people’s victory. This is the real face of Pakistan,” he
added.
Qadri had called for parliament to be dissolved immediately and for a
caretaker government to be set up in consultation with the military and
judiciary to implement reforms before elections.
His sudden -- and apparently well-financed -- emergence after years
living in Canada has been criticised as a ploy by sections of the
establishment, particularly the armed forces, to delay the elections and
regain power.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry adjourned until January 23
the case being heard against Ashraf and 15 others accused of corruption
over power projects that date back to his time as water and energy
minister.
Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau Fasih Bokhari said it
would take time to find evidence to prosecute anyone despite the court
ordering in March 2012 legal proceedings against Ashraf.
Political analyst Hasan Askari warned that it was only a temporary
reprieve.
“Even if they come up with a solution to the present problems, they
may get another crisis... So the government should announce elections
now,” he said.
AFP
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