RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri on Sunday called for changing the government and the prevalent system through revolution, calling the present set-up ‘unconstitutional’.

“We are in favour of revolution instead of changing the government within the parliament as the house has been elected in violation of Article 218, Clause B of the Constitution,” Mr Qadri said while addressing protest rallies in different cities of Punjab, including Lahore and Rawalpindi, through video-link from Canada.

He said there was no democracy in the country and the parliament was being run in an unconstitutional way, adding that such a government should be immediately replaced by one that turns the country into a welfare state.

“People are feeling insecure as the law and order situation has deteriorated. They are committing suicide and even selling their children for bread. A total of 50,000 people have died during the last few years but neither the present nor the previous governments have taken responsibility,” he said.

The PAT chief said that for 42 years, three PPP governments and three PML-N administrations had ruled the country, but never did any good for the people.

He said there was no merit in the country. “The poor have become poorer while the rich richer. The ruling elite have built palaces in Raiwind whereas the poor do not even have shelter from scorching heat and chilly winter,” he said.

Mr Qadri said the ruling elite did not want to empower the common man which was why it was against creation of new provinces. “There is a dire need to create 30 new provinces in the country to transfer power to the grass roots,” he said.

He said education and health were responsibility of the state and the constitution clearly defined it as such. “But, we spend a meagre amount on education while provision of health facilities is still a dream in the country,” he said.

“To end corruption, unemployment and inflation, there is a dire need to launch a movement. The people of the country will launch this movement and the rallies in Punjab prove that the days of the present system and ruling Junta are numbered,” he said.

Mr Qadri said he would soon return from Canada to lead a movement against the government and to change the system. “I will soon start a movement for the welfare of the people and improvement of the system where people can live in a safe and secure environment and enjoy all basic rights as enshrined in the constitution,” he said.