Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira. — File photo

ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira on Monday said that demands of Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) chief Allama Dr Tahirul Qadri are unconstitutional, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to a press conference, he said Dr Qadri is neither a political force nor holds a clear agenda. “On one hand he (Qadri) talks about compliance with the constitution and on the other his demands are extra-constitutional,” said Kaira.

Since his arrival in the country, Qadri keeps on changing his demands and there were reports that he was giving new charter of demands, which is beyond comprehension, said the minister.

“It seems Dr Tahirul Qadri wants to become head of the interim setup.”

“Gone are the days when a foreigner was appointed as prime minister of the country, casting far-reaching implications on the future of the country,” he said.

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader said consultation between the two political parties regarding caretaker setup was not a bargain as Leader of the House Chaudhry Nisar represents all the opposition parties, while leader of the house represents treasury benches in the parliament.

Kaira said that not a single political party was supporting Tahirul Qadri’s march because his demands were not within ambit of the constitution.

The minister, by giving references from legal and constitutional documents, said the demand of including military and judiciary in consultation process of forming the caretaker setup is unconstitutional.

Similarly, the procedure of dissolving the election commission is given in the constitution. “It is the same procedure which is used to suspend judges of the higher judiciary…..there is no other way of dismantling the election commission,” he added.

Kaira sarcastically advised the TMQ chief to get ready to challenge illegibility of election candidates.

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