ISPR DG says army not behind Tahirul Qadri: report

E-Paper | March 11, 2026

DG ISPR Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa.— Photo by Reuters/File

KARACHI: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa has denied the military’s involvement in the re-emergence of Tahirul Qadri, chief of the Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran, a local daily reported in its Wednesday edition.

The report, published in The News, quoted the army spokesman as "categorically" denying the speculation linking Qadri to the military establishment.

When asked whether the military establishment had "brought in Qadri to derail the system", the ISPR DG said: “This is all speculation and totally incorrect.”

Bajwa moreover said it was for the federal and the provincial governments to devise a strategy on tackling the issue of the Jan 14 long march.

The ISPR DG said neither the federal nor the provincial government had approached the military for assistance on the matter.

Pakistan

‘No matter what, no matter when’: PM’s spokesperson reiterates support for Saudi Arabia ‘before it is needed’

MNAs’ salaries cut by 25pc as National Assembly joins austerity drive

Strict security in place in Karachi for Youm-i-Ali

Rana Fakhar Hayat

Jan 02, 2013 07:48am

We appriciate the clarification by ISPR

Recommend 0

Shahid

Jan 02, 2013 07:45am

Why such a statement was not issued when the people were accusing Imran Khan to be a brain child of Army/ISI. Does this mean that Army Owns imran Khan and not TuQ

Recommend 0

Mr.T

Jan 02, 2013 07:28am

It's a believable & encouraging statement, then only left is foreign agencies. MqM openly supports him, Q league playing safe as usual. If there's foreign involvement then those who backing him obviously "ally" of the foreign agencies. Or maybe it just something more terrible...

Recommend 0

Ash Mirza (USA)

Jan 02, 2013 07:20am

Why people of Pakistan , mullahs and leaders of pakistan highlighted Dr. Tahirul Qadri ??? Tahirul Qadri will carry march on Jan 14 2013.....Well he is pakistani citizen, and thats his right. only government can get involve if he break the law. Mean time people of pakistan, mullahs, and government officials must go after CRIMINALS and catch them and punish them. Daily somany innocent citizen of Pakistan get killed. Please help to save life, and get those criminals.. God Bless you all ........PEACE Sincerely, Ash Mirza (USA)

Recommend 0

mansoor

Jan 02, 2013 07:17am

After this clarification, now the drama needs to be thoroughly investigated as to whether who is interested in Tehrir square like stage to be set and for whose benefit. We always tried to follow other nations ideas, e.g. long marches although long march of Mao tse tang was some what completely different as our politician planned. likewise Tehrir square stand off was of by other nations and their leaders have a different character and history. First of all they all lived in the same place not after spending time some where else come back to started saying and doing contradictory to their past. Its time to say to our leaders now grow up dont use those terminologies which are alien to this country.

Recommend 0

gloriousAllah

Jan 02, 2013 07:16am

Now army cant come the same way as General Pervez did. So are doing this through Qadri. Where was Qadri all these years and now suddenly he comes and gives ultimatum before elections. This is all done by army and ISI nexus who dont want peaceful civilian govt which will deprive them of powers

Recommend 0

Rana Fakhar Hayat

Jan 02, 2013 07:50am

Yes, It should also be clarified

Recommend 0

Ghalib Khan

Jan 02, 2013 10:40am

Imran Khan is not the leader of that capacity that ISPR would feel it needs to comment on it

Recommend 0

Sheikh

Jan 02, 2013 04:32pm

Peaceful civilian govt?

Recommend 0

peace

Jan 02, 2013 10:23am

Yes Sirs! we all know that you are never behind any such conspiracies e.g. creation of IJI and etc.

Recommend 0

Mohammad

Jan 02, 2013 10:28am

Trust me Army owns both of the,. Tahir Ul Qadri is a part of a ploy, remember Zulfiqar Mirza ?? he came and used Quran to prove his loyalty towards Pakistan and where is he now, same is Faisal raza abidi and same is this guy. All these politicians are playing their roles offered to them by their directors. In this case a canadian Tahir ul Qadri is going to save Pakistan. Its all fake only innocent minded people believe all this, they cant fool us anymore we are sick and tired of them.

Recommend 0

ali ahmed

Jan 02, 2013 02:34pm

people of pakistan is so much frustrated ,they are ready to come out..waiting for the right leadership..

Recommend 0

Aaykay

Jan 02, 2013 08:24am

Maulana TuQ,new kid on the block, is probably planted by the West that is why unnatural alliance of Seculars & this so-called religious faction has been formed backed by "opportunist Chaudhries" of Punjab, it seems the Kid is trying to head the future interim setup which might be lingered till pull out of NATO forces from Afghanistan. West, though claim to be champions of Democracy, has always supported undemocratic forces in Pakistan when it comes to their benefit. Again, Islam is being used in slogan "Minhaj ul Quran" just like Zia misused Islam to fool the people of Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Truth Hurts

Jan 02, 2013 08:20am

Actually it could be other way around and or both options may be considered open.... :-)

Recommend 0

Muhammad Rahat Bajwa

Jan 02, 2013 09:25am

Imran Khan does not need help from any of these

Recommend 0