KARACHI: Opposition Leader in National Assembly Syed Khurshid Shah of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Sunday warned the government against arresting Dr Tahirul Qadri and Sheikh Rashid Ahmed saying it would be a dangerous step for the government, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to media representatives during a function held at Expo Centre here, he said the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should avoid making the mistake of arresting the firebrand leader of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), Qadri and Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid.

“Otherwise, it would become difficult for the government to complete its five-year tenure … and might end in just six months,” said the PPP leader. He added that his party never stopped anyone from exercising the democratic rights during their rule.

Commenting on the deadly Karachi airport attack, Shah said the brutal attack has shaken everyone and urged for coordinated efforts to avoid such incidents taking place in the future.

Answering a question, he said the PPP would always be a part of democratic alliance. The opposition leader urged the federal and provincial governments to work together in fighting militancy.

Meanwhile, speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Sheikh Rashid said that the government would be responsible for the ‘consequences’ of arresting him or Dr Qadri.

Commenting on his proposed ‘train march,’ he said it was against gas loadshedding and inflation and not anti-democratic.

Sheikh Rashid expressed hope that PAT chief Qadri and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan will join hands and form a grand alliance against the government.

He criticised the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government for derailing peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban.