ISLAMABAD: Denouncing all kinds of violence and terrorism, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Chief Dr Tahirul Qadri on Saturday claimed that if any of his party members become violent, they will be forced to leave the party.

Dr Qadri was addressing thousands of his workers at Aabpara Chowk, where they had gathered to bring a “green revolution” in the country.

Though, hundreds of police officials were performing their duties around the gathering, the party had also brought its trained workers – men and women – to perform the security duty.

Holding sticks in their hands, most of them were also wearing plastic masks and goggles. “The party provided us with masks and special glasses to counter tear gas,” said Huma Faraz, an activist.

PAT rally seems highly organised with participants behaving at their best

The trained workers thoroughly frisked every person entering the sit-in, which was spread over 400 yards on Khayaban-i-Suharwardy – from Aabpara Chowk to National Bank. The main stage for the protest was set up at Aabpara Chowk, which was guarded entirely by PAT’s baton-wielding workers.

Holding party flags in their hands, PAT workers remained active throughout the day, as their spirits were pumped by the tunes of “inquilabi” songs.

“We are here to bring change in the country. We will fight till the last moment and will return after bringing a revolution,” said Ayesha Naz.

Before the arrival of the widely-claimed ‘Qibla’, Dr Qadri, the party leaders and activists kept the participants fully charged with speeches and enthusiastic slogans.

PAT’s special wing also distributed juices and biscuits among the participants. The responsible attitude of the participants was observed when, instead of littering the venue, they chucked wrappers and empty cartons in garbage bags, to keep the area clean.

The participants showered petals and chanted slogans as Dr Qadri’s SUV reached the stage. However, the party leaders said he would announce his charter of demands later in the day, at 4pm, and that he had only come to greet his party workers. He went on to talk about terrorism, peace and “true democracy”.

He said his party would struggle to eradicate the menace of terrorism from the country, which, according to him, was imported from some Arab and African countries.

The party leader also passed a snide comment, perhaps involuntarily, on the PTI chief and said that he will not leave the sit-in, assuring, “I swear that till the end of our march, you will find me amongst you.”

Christian leader Julius Salik also joined Dr Qadri’s march and assured Dr Qadri of his full support. Meanwhile, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas of Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) and a few other allies of PAT were also present on stage during the first session.

Earlier, during the morning session, hundreds of PAT workers rested on Khyaban-i-Suharwardy and the verandas of the Aabpara market.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2014