ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik left for London on Tuesday apparently to meet Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain who sought support of the army and judiciary for the call of ‘change’ given by Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran chief Dr Tahirul Qadri, sources told Dawn.

The minister left for London soon after meeting President Asif Ali Zardari in Karachi and reportedly discussed with him Dr Qadri’s planned long march and protests in Islamabad on Jan 14.

It is believed that the interior minister will try to convey a message from President Zardari to the MQM chief who has already announced MQM’s support for Dr Qadri’s plan.

The PPP is believed to have been ‘worried’ by Dr Qadri’s warning to turn Islamabad into Tehrir Square.

The government fears that any untoward incident during the demonstration may delay general elections.

Meanwhile, a source close to the interior minister who attended a meeting on law and order situation on Tuesday, said Dr Qadri and his followers would not be allowed to proceed to parliament and it will be asked to hold its protests in F-9 Park.