Silencing the speculations that he is not coming back anytime soon, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) leader Dr Tahirul Qadri early morning today returned to Pakistan amid tight security as well as terror threats.
Hundreds of his followers reached Lahore airport to welcome their beloved leader.
Dr Qadri along with his adherents set off for Daata Darbar, the shrine of sufi saint, Abul Hassan Ali Hajvery. He will be heading to his Model Town residence afterwards.
Dr Qadri’s flight, which flew from London earlier on Wednesday, landed at Lahore airport around 06:55 AM (PST) Thursday morning.
According to a PAT spokesperson, Dr Qadri has returned to Pakistan after a successful trip to USA, Canada, and the UK. He had left for Canada on October 28 days after breaking his anti-government protest camp in Islamabad.
Earlier Dr Qadri warned Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif against ordering a ‘hostile welcome’ on his (Qadri’s) arrival this morning.
“We are not going to storm the CM House or the secretariat building. After reaching home, all I want to do is visit Daata Darbar, with my fellows/supporters”, the TV evangelist turned populist demagogue remarked.
“My followers will receive me at the airport and then we will make a bee line for the sufi saint’s shrine as I had missed a visit last time. As against Punjab government’s propaganda I have absolutely no intention of leading that small rally to attack any government establishment”, Qadri said.
Urging the chief minister of Punjab to refrain from launching a crackdown on his followers, Dr Qadri also ordered his associates to cooperate with the administration of Lahore.
“That I will hold a public meeting at Daata Darbar is nothing more than a rumour. No speeches will be delivered there. I’m again calling on Shahbaz Sharif to neither threaten my workers nor feel threatened by them. As like always I have come in peace this time around too”, Qadri said.
