ISLAMABAD: Delaying his customary evening address in deference to fellow sit-in leader Imran Khan’s speech in Lahore, Dr Tahirul Qadri held an open house on Sunday night, inviting his followers and fellow marchers to the stage to share their views about the sit-in.

Dr Qadri also said his party was preparing lists of all those who had participated in the sit-ins and would soon be able to say unequivocally how many people had taken part in the protests.

Know more: Imran, Qadri looking for a way out of Islamabad?

Also on Sunday, before leaving Islamabad for Lahore to address the public gathering there, Imran Khan told his followers on D-Chowk that he would celebrate Eidul Azha with them and offer Eid prayers on Constitution Avenue.

Speaking much later than usual, Dr Qadri said that thanks to their protest, the nation had woken up and recognised the need to demand their rights through peaceful means.

“You must be congratulated. You have braved hardship for the last 45 days in the capital,” he told the crowd. “I also congratulate Imran Khan for the successful gathering in Lahore,” he said.

The PAT chief said that much like the PTI leader, he would also seek to spread his movement to other parts of the country. “The movement will not stop at all,” he added.

Talking to Dawn, some participants of the PAT sit-in said that it was difficult for anyone from among Dr Qadri’s supporters to question their leadership, as they believed in him as a religious scholar.

Before leaving for Lahore, the PTI chief said he would keep holding rallies in different parts of the country, but would always return to the sit-in in the capital afterwards. Accordingly, Mr Khan arrived back in the capital just after midnight after an eventful visit to Lahore.

Published in Dawn, September 29th , 2014