LAHORE: Pakistan Awami Tehreek Chairman Dr Tahirul Qadri alleges that “corruption money” is being used for acts of terrorism in the country and both major political parties – PML-N and PPP – are covering up each other’s wrongdoings.

Speaking to the media at the Lahore airport on his return from Canada on Tuesday, he claimed: “The rulers’ corruption money is behind the (acts of) terrorism as they are allowing those who order the target killings to go scot free.”

He alleged that the old allies (PML-N and PPP) had joined hands to foil the Rangers’ operation in Karachi and their challenging statements were part of a “script” aimed at “hoodwinking” the masses and the institutions.

Both the main political parties had entered into a compromise for covering up and securing each other’s corruption, he added.

“Whatever is being done to the Rangers is at the behest of Islamabad as a dangerous game is being played in Sindh,” he alleged.

Demanding army operation in Punjab too, he said the Rangers were seeking powers only in Sindh while 14 dead bodies and over 100 injured were awaiting justice in Punjab, a reference to the Model Town police raid back in June 2014.

He said the country was being run like a personal business and rule of law was seen nowhere.

Dr Qadri pledged to exact revenge for the victims of Model Town.

From the airport, he was taken to his residence in Model Town in a procession.

Meanwhile, PAT general secretary Khurram Nawaz Gandapur told a press conference at Minar-i-Pakistan lawns, where the party is holding an international Milad conference on Wednesday (today), that the government was not providing them security cover for the event in violation of the Constitution that says protection of life and property of citizens is the responsibility of the state.

He claimed that 150,000 people would be attending the moot though just 40,000 chairs had been arranged at the venue. The PAT chief will address the conference.

Responding to a question, Gandapur said Dr Qadri would start consulting various political leaders after two days on the future course of action for winning justice for Model Town victims.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2015