Qadri leaves for US, rejects deal with government

E-Paper | February 23, 2026

LAHORE: Firebrand cleric and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri on Wednesday rejected rumours of any deal with the government and said that he would return to Pakistan after his treatment in the US.

Before his departure to the US, Qadri was speaking to reporters in Model Town and maintained his unflinching stance of not accepting the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) comprising government representatives to investigate the Model Town tragedy.

Qadri said his party supported the idea of a revolution in Pakistan, adding that they would never reach a deal with any brutal force.

"I stand with the poor people of the country and will fight for their rights until my last breath," Qadri said.

The PAT chief was travelling to the United States for treatment of a heart disease.

Doctors had earlier declared Qadri's health unsatisfactory and had advised him to consider medical treatment at the earliest.

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Ashraf Usman

Dec 03, 2014 02:53pm

First of all Qadri Sahib should establish a hospital in Pakistan where he can treated so that he does not have to fly to US. Talking for and about poor has to live like a poor Pakistani first to prove himself.

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Naseem Khan

Dec 03, 2014 02:55pm

The MAN who select other country for his treatment, do you think he is honest to bring some change or revolution in his country, I am surprised.

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Janjua

Dec 03, 2014 03:09pm

He vows to stand with with the poor people of Pakistan and talks about fighting till last breath..........and then goes off to USA for treatment....... Wow that's our 'awami' leaader!!! These so called leaders keep exploiting us and then jetting off to their safe havens.

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Indian Muslim

Dec 03, 2014 03:23pm

Whats wrong in it. He is entitled for better treatment. When one is fit, he can serve more to the nation...

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Awais

Dec 03, 2014 03:45pm

You are standing with poor by getting treatment abroad??? Nice logic Qadri Sahab

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Shabbir

Dec 03, 2014 03:48pm

@Naseem Khan what you say about other political elites? all are beneficiary of same treatment.

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Dr. Sadaf

Dec 03, 2014 03:51pm

A big drama. A cardiac patient does not scream and shout like he was doing for the last two years. So sad to see that he calls himself a religious scholar and how he played with people sentiments and emotions. Method of getting him out of there was very predictable.

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Aditya

Dec 03, 2014 04:08pm

Why do u keep hating the west but line up to go there every chance u get? Typical Pak hypocrisy in Everything

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Khan

Dec 03, 2014 04:26pm

Yes, maybe he should have set up a hospital in Pakistan. But should we be not asking the same question to those who are in power – because they all end up in London even if they sneeze. And when IK set up the hospital we still blame him for something or another in relation to the running of hospital.

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Farrukh Munir

Dec 03, 2014 04:28pm

Of course there is no deal!!!! Who are you kidding Mr Qadri. Your stance has changed since the news of the deal surfaced. Money, and lots of it, changes people's priorities and you are no exception. Bye and enjoy your stay in the USA!! Poor people of Pakistan love you greatly. Don worry about them with this weak heart!!

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zak

Dec 03, 2014 04:29pm

We pray for his successful treatment, as he is needed here in Pakistan to help IK drive home the naya pakistan emerging.

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Mariam

Dec 03, 2014 04:38pm

Wishing him good health. Don't see why he has to go to the US though. He could have gone to any good private hospital in Pakistan.

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bilal

Dec 03, 2014 04:42pm

Inshallah he will get better soon and you people are complaining about him going abroad to get treatment he isnt the prime minister or anything like that and this just shows the problem with our health system its rubbish even the best hospitals are rubbish its all about the money for them and its the governments job to sort the health sector but they are too busy building roads

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Zubair Nawaz

Dec 03, 2014 04:44pm

We have in Pakistan so many good hospitals to take care of heart problems ! Why does he need to go off to US? And where does he get his money from?

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Khan

Dec 03, 2014 04:59pm

The more he denies that there wasn't a deal, leads me to believe there was one. Based on the political activities/occurences in the past month, it's not too hard to connect the dots either way. Govt will give him safe passage, Qadri sahib will postpone his revolution 'till further notice'.

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Imran Khan

Dec 03, 2014 05:36pm

It would have been better is Qadri had been honest and said "I stand with the poor people of the country and will fight for their rights until my last breath. However, do not expect me to die like the poor of Pakistan in a government hospital."

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I. Ahmed

Dec 03, 2014 05:37pm

Man charged with ATA 7 is moving around the world through airports in Pakistan??? Still denies the deal? Whether deal or no deal, his was the most farcical revolution in the history of human race.

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room

Dec 03, 2014 05:42pm

@Mariam A Canadian citizen going US for treatment in US, doesn't make sense

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Rehan Burki

Dec 03, 2014 05:42pm

Mr Qadri what about those innocent young girls and boys who laid their lives for your cause. Why are you going to US? Please stay put and taken on these tyrants.

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Z khan

Dec 03, 2014 05:55pm

Qadri will stand with the poor.....in America.

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karachiwala

Dec 03, 2014 06:03pm

How many of the educated and professionals have left Pakistan out of shear frustration with a fiirm resolve to come back and do something, he looks one of them.

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pakka paki

Dec 03, 2014 06:09pm

well its slow and silent admissible of deal being done and money being transferred in tranches once we saw before put in different places of Dubai London usa and Canada and now also its seems he will take same route. oh god please help this land of Muslim please send at least one honest man.

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Common man

Dec 03, 2014 06:09pm

Qadri says it is Canadian passport which allow him to travel worldwide. What a poor man struggling for poor.

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Jay Malik

Dec 03, 2014 06:25pm

How is he going to pay for the treatment. I know in Canada he was collecting welfare.

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M.M.Sherazi

Dec 03, 2014 06:31pm

The destination of heart disease treatment itself carries a lot more essence. Good Luck Mr. Qadri, the true saviour of the poor by getting treatment in a poor country of the world.

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Key Points

Dec 03, 2014 06:39pm

No sense blaming this old fellow for anything. If he is ill, let him get medical treatment & wish him good health. Better to wait & see what future unfolds.

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Key Points

Dec 03, 2014 06:44pm

@Ashraf Usman Where do think leaders of PPP and PML(N) go for medical treatment. If you were sick, had money and option to go go to US for medical treatment, where would you go?

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Bachabassi

Dec 03, 2014 07:06pm

Who is paying for his multi -million dollar hospital bill in the US. Where does he get money for frequent foreign travel. Is he employed or on welfare system in Canada and USA?

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Anupam

Dec 03, 2014 07:09pm

India has great hospitals...... Qadri can come to India. Many Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Arabs, Africans etc come to India for treatment. India is becoming truly International Standard in terms of Medicine.

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JUSTICE

Dec 03, 2014 07:13pm

Qadri Sahib, there are lot rumors floating around about your deal with Nawaz Sharif. If there there is no deal, then tell all your supporters to join your Imran Khan's protect against government.

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Ali

Dec 03, 2014 07:28pm

Qadri Sahib Pakistani nation don't trust now, because once you were at Dharna you pledge in front of nation that you will not go till government would not resign? and you left Dharna.

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Mrs.khalil

Dec 03, 2014 07:41pm

Pakistani's please open Your eyes for how long we became puppets for such hypocrite people, who pretend to fight for The right of common man and for his treatment went USA. Such people have nothing to with Pakistan, they just. Want to create unrest & anarchy in this country. May Allah bless Our country from such people. Ameen

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Saqib Sadiq, USA

Dec 03, 2014 07:56pm

Getting treatment without medical insurance in USA is just like putting oneself in great jeopardy. Is liyey ke yahan khazane khali ho jaate hain baghair medical insurance ke. Where is he getting the money for the heart treatment? Pakistan ka loota hua paisa laya hoga ya phir USA me logon ko mazeed bewakoof bana ker PAT movement ke naam per chanday pay guzaara kare ga. Asal mein hamari qaum main kuch log abhi bhi andhe hain. Is mulk ka Allah hi Hafiz jis mulk ke so-called siyasatdan is kisam ke hon...

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krishna prasad Toronto

Dec 03, 2014 07:59pm

In USA, it costs no less than $200,000 for medical (cardiac) treatment whereas in Canada it is done free as a Canadian citizen. Someone said that he lives on welfare here. That means he gets about $1000 bucks (maximum) for his monthly expenses. He lives in an expensive (million dollar homes) area called Mississauga road( an excellent well-to-do area). How come he has funds for his treatment and not for his living expenses in Canada. Where is he getting funds for his treatment? Question remains unsolved. Pakistanis like us Indians can understand very well all this. Brood over this and get to know him better for your own development and economy.

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tarik

Dec 03, 2014 08:18pm

Why doesn't he get treatment in Pakistan where poor peple of Pakistan get treated. He should breath his last breath with them rather than in US or Canada.

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Murtaza Mandvi

Dec 03, 2014 08:30pm

This is the inqilaab where for treatment one has to go to foreign countries ! Spending humongous amount of money on jalsas and not being able to build a single hospital to provide quality treatment ?

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Dr.M.M.Khan

Dec 03, 2014 08:57pm

Why do the politicians call in the doctor when they are under pressure and leave for a foreign country . Let me name Zardari, Musharraf wants to leave asp, Tareen has allready been and so has Nawaz . The only person who opted for treatment in Pakistan was Imran. Please stop undermining the reputation of Pakistani doctors. May i remind the readers the former PM of India chose to have major cardiac surgery in India. Mr Qadri could have been a shining example for the doctors in Pakistan but then his illness may be "political"

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Syed Ahmed

Dec 03, 2014 09:09pm

@Naseem Khan: He has chosen US for treating heart condition. Shabaz Sharif and Zardari go abroad for routine check up or minor ailments. They don't trust own hospitals how could Dr. Qadri do right now. Once IK takes over things are expected to improve..

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mohammad abbas

Dec 03, 2014 10:24pm

best of luck we are pray for u and come back fast.

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Dec 04, 2014 03:55am

@krishna prasad Toronto He lives in Oakville, Ontario which is a rich suburban city in Greater Toronto Area. If he owns the home he is living in then he will most likely not qualify for the welfare, plus he is public figure and every often a news is published in a well read and respected local Globe and Mail. I don't know for fact but not sure if he is on welfare. True source of his income is not public information and not known to many, he does have a number of establishments throughout the world so I assume he must be earning good.

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Bea

Dec 04, 2014 03:58am

@bilal if they are problems with the health system in Pakistan he should set an example and have treatment in his county instead of running off to the USA such a two faced hypocrite this man is.

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