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Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri on Saturday announced that the party will not participate in the upcoming General Elections.
Flanked by party officials in a press conference in Lahore, he said that the PAT had decided not to contest the elections because "the entire system" was "flawed and could not be called a democracy".
Dr Qadri said that the PAT will not become a part of the electoral process and would not be issuing tickets to any candidates.
On being asked, he clarified that he had deliberately never used the word 'boycott' and was only saying that PAT would not participate in the process as a political party.
"Neither electoral reforms were made nor any seriousness shown in the accountability process. We cannot be part of an election which does not have anything good for the people," he later said in a message on Twitter.
Neither electoral reforms were made nor any seriousness was shown in the accountability process. We cannot be part of such an election which does not have anything good for the people. Similar faces are seen in assembly time and again. God knows how long it will go.
— Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri (@TahirulQadri) June 23, 2018
He also appeared irked by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's (PTI) decision to give tickets to 'electables'. Without naming the party's chief Imran Khan, he said that the statement on electables as being essential for elections went against PTI's slogan of change.
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On DawnNews
Jun 23, 2018 06:15pm
PAT knows they have NO chance of winning any seat, mainly due to their leader's indecisive, dubious and weak stand on Model town's incident when 14 innocent people were killed by Punjab police. You have to be persistent, totally dedicated in pursuing such incidents without personal motives!
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Jun 23, 2018 06:24pm
Dr Sb you can not even win even a Union council seat
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Jun 23, 2018 06:26pm
Make a statement and then fly back to your comfort zone, Canada. Whatever happened to that killing at Model Town!
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Jun 23, 2018 06:30pm
Excellent decision Allama Tahir Ul Qadri.The entire electoral process needs to be revised and scrutinized. There should be no unconstitutional bans on political activities for some and complete freedom for others. New and correct census and delimitations needs to be done. Its better to delay the elections rather then having elections on a rigged system.
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Jun 23, 2018 06:55pm
Okay.....just stay in Canada please.
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Jun 23, 2018 06:55pm
I think he is not participating because he wants to help Imran. He knows his followers are going to vote for PML-N.
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Jun 23, 2018 06:59pm
Why not he contest elections in Canada?
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Jun 23, 2018 07:02pm
Mr Qadir is playing his usual game. Why doesn’t he come into power and improve the system? He knows he can’t get into power. He has not done anything seriously to ensure prosecution of 14 model town deaths. Have deals been made?
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Jun 23, 2018 07:10pm
Mr. Qadri be practical and be a solution to our country’s many many problems and issues or go back to Canada.
You have integrity and patience to work with our government officials.
Pakistan needs volunteers to think how to get rid of corruption and stop money laundering. We have lot more incompetent and dishonest politicians working to fill up their bankaccounts.
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Jun 23, 2018 07:10pm
I’m heartbroken!
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Jun 23, 2018 07:18pm
Just like that he ll pack up his stuff and head back to Canada... Looking forward to ur return in the time of next political upheaval to put weight to the cause of those who pull ur strings
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Jun 23, 2018 07:21pm
Really? Or are the grapes sour?
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Jun 23, 2018 07:26pm
PAT is only a civilian pressure group of establishment, with no public following.
Same protesters are present whether its karachi or islamabad.
They cannot win even a single MNA seat on their own.
So whether they participate in elections or not, no one even wants to know !
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Jun 23, 2018 07:39pm
Now he will secretly convey his followers to vote Imran Khan.
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Jun 23, 2018 07:53pm
As Dr Sahab knows very well that he or his party may not be able to secure a single NA seat ...
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Jun 23, 2018 08:05pm
Orders from up.
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Jun 23, 2018 10:02pm
Now this is the latest from PAT. Although I support his call for sweeping the democratic and electoral system in Pakistan nevertheless this could also be done by raising voice in the assembly. Instead of boycotting the election Dr. Qadri should have fielded a strong team to participate in election leading to his efforts for reform from the assembly floor. Boycotting means end of the road for the next five years.
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Jun 23, 2018 10:05pm
The issue is he had to declare his assets if he file papers for election.
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Jun 23, 2018 10:28pm
Certainly the last government in power did not give justice to Dr. Qadri and he expects to see a better government in the future when his voice will be heard positively rather than negatively. He sure can make his voice heard in the system from outside without having a seat in Parliament. He has done it before and will do it again in all likelihood if he sees injustice.
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Jun 23, 2018 11:33pm
Dr. Tahirul Qadri is greatly respected religious scholar with millions of followers. PAT's decision not to take part in elections would be huge disappointment for his supporters. Yes, the system is not perfect, as corrupt people get elected. That can only be changed by taking part in elections, winning seats and joining other like-mined parties to form the government. By staying out of the process, PAT can never expect to change the system. PAT must re-consider its hurried decision and take part in 2018 elections, for improving the system for country's progress and prosperity.
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Jun 24, 2018 01:18am
Not a single comment is in favor of Dr. Sahib. This is balloting and this man can gauge his strength or we can say weakness.
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Jun 24, 2018 01:36am
Good! Pakistan is better off with politicians who live on the West and North America and only come here to collect funds for their luxurious life style abroad!
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Jun 24, 2018 01:48am
Thanks Mr.Qadri for being good to the country. Please convince other religiius rganisations to do the same,also.
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Jun 24, 2018 03:05am
Thanks doctor sab how can you serve people in Pakistan when you spend 11 months in Canada in year.
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Jun 24, 2018 03:30am
He lives in Canada and has several business, convenient stores, gas station,every now and then he stop by his old home town and make a statement to stay in lime light.
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Jun 24, 2018 06:17am
What exactly is this guy struggling for?
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Jun 24, 2018 06:37am
@Laeeq, NJ : he won’t get even 50 votes : security check will be forfeited . Even Income tax will start audit
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Jun 24, 2018 09:20am
Very good decision.
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Jun 24, 2018 10:52am
What are his credentials? He worked for the sharifs and now he thinks he is a leader.
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