LAHORE: Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) chairman Dr Tahirul Qadri has said that by calling off the protest, the people have allowed the constitution and democracy to succeed in the country.

He further stated that martial law would have been imposed in the country if the sit-in had not been called off.

Speaking to the press in Lahore, after a Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) council meeting, Qadri said that the council had given him a mandate of the movement's decisions.

On the occasion, when speaking about participating in the elections, he said that impartial people will conduct surveys.

He said the survey conducted will ask the people questions, relating to PAT's participation in the polls and potential voters for the party.

Qadri said that TMQ's long march was the first step towards revolution in the country, further stating that the struggle will continue.

The TMQ chairman said that he is a supporter of the constitution, democracy and elections in the country, but that does not mean that crooks and thieves should be allowed to participate in the polls.

He said that the point of elections was to save the country and not to break it.