No NOC for Qadri’s long march in Blue Area: Malik

E-Paper | March 17, 2026

Interior Minister Rehman Malik. — File photo

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Thursday said that the government would not issue a no-objection certificate (NOC) to the Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri for holding a rally in Islamabad’s Blue Area.

Malik added that the government would not consider any illegal demands and advised Qadri to review his decision on the long march.

Speaking to media representatives in Islamabad, Federal Interior Minister Malik claimed that five suspects have been arrested from the Malakand district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and had confessed to planning an attack on Qadri’s long march on Jan 14.

He also said that the government did not wish to take any risks with regard to the security arrangements for the rally. Malik further said that providing security to Qadri was his duty.

However, he added that it would be inadvisable for Qadri to go ahead with the long march in such precarious conditions.

The interior minister said that business owners and residents in Islamabad’s Blue Area had expressed their reservations regarding the long march. Therefore, no one would be permitted to hold a rally in the locality.

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Viiewr

Jan 11, 2013 02:11am

rally would do nothing instead of doom destruction, Qadri should focus on peace march as Islam permits, protestion is allowed if it does not harm the societies, we have already seen what happened on that blasphemy movie holiday. please do not destroy yourself politians..

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kirther

Jan 11, 2013 12:45am

How timid this government is starting from the President to it's lowest level worker, they are all afraid of Dr Tahirul Qadri, one man has shaken the entire government. This corrupt and weak government has done nothing so far except for wasting meager financial resources on maintaining coalition to protects its government and on promoting Bilawal Zardari and without doubt rampart corruptions is its hallmark.

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Ali

Jan 10, 2013 07:15pm

No patrol is actually available in Rawalpindi and Islamabad Division, people are stuck in rows at the patrol stations, I am not against the peaceful protest but here things are getting worst. how he can say "siyasat nahi riyasat bachaoo", all normal activities are planned to be suspended. Khuda khair karay

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Logical

Jan 10, 2013 02:06pm

Instead of marching thousands in long marches, which invariably end up in death, destruction and mayhem, for the purpose of political power-grabbing Pakistani politicians should be holding political debates on TV as is done in civilized societies.

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