RAWALPINDI: Finally, two ‘political cousins’ of the 2014 sit-in — Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan — have joined hands as the former is ready to send his workers to join the PTI’s planned ‘lockdown’ of the capital on Nov 2.

However, Dr Qadri’s personal participation is not yet confirmed.

Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, who has played a role in bringing the two leaders close, told Dawn that Mr Khan had contacted Dr Qadri and invited him to participate in the “PTI protest against the corrupt government”.

“In the telephonic conversation, Dr Tahirul Qadri agreed to join Imran Khan against the government. The days of the PML-N government are numbered. Nawaz Sharif has no other option but to step down or clear the corruption charges [against him],” Sheikh Rashid said.

When asked about Dr Qadri’s arrival in Pakistan, he said Doctor sahib will also come. “There are still many shocks for the government in the coming days as more political parties will join the sit-in in Islamabad,” he said.

The AML leader said battle lines had been drawn and those who were against corruption would join Imran Khan while those involved in corruption would join the PML-N. He said Imran Khan would announce more things about the Islamabad sit-in at a public meeting to be held at Lal Haveli on Oct 28.

When contacted, PAT secretary general Khuram Nawaz Gandapur confirmed that Imran Khan had formally invited Dr Tahirul Qadri to join him and the latter accepted it. The decision about Dr Qadri’s participation in the PTI protest would be taken soon, he added.

He said a PTI team would meet PAT leaders on Tuesday (today) in Lahore to discuss workers’ participation for duration of the sit-in.

In reply to a question about Imran Khan’s apology, Mr Gandapur said such things were of minor nature when it came to the national interest. “Panama Papers leaks and the national interest are big issues than the remarks and Dr Tahirul Qadri always gives priority to the national interest.”

It may be mentioned here that Dr Tahirul Qadri was angry over Imran Khan’s remarks about invitation to political parties.

According to a statement issued by the PTI, Imran Khan held telephonic conversation with Dr Tahirul Qadri on Monday and formally invited him to participate in the sit-in in Islamabad on Nov 2. Dr Qadri had accepted the invitation, it added.

Published in Dawn October 25th, 2016