ISLAMABAD: Almost in keeping with the warning sounded by Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri himself, days earlier, intelligence reports have now reportedly surfaced about a likely threat to his life when he lands at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad, next Monday, 23 June.
In another incident, FIRs were registered against about 3,000 workers of PAT, including the party chiefs son- Hussain Mohiuddin. An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday ordered the discharge of 11 women and two elderly men of PAT, arrested for protesting the clash between police and party workers outside Dr. Qadris Lahore residence on Tuesday, 17 June in what is now called the Model Town incident at Shahdara.
The News reports that police and law enforcing agencies have been intimated of an intelligence report which warned the Ministry of Interior of a serious terrorist threat to the life of Dr. Qadri. The relevant government agencies have in turn been given directions that all necessary measures be put in place to counter such an assassination attempt.
Indications are that a group of terrorists, belonging to a section of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), are behind the plot to execute the PAT chief mainly because Dr. Qadri had criticised the peace talks between government and the TTP.
Shaikh Rashid Ahmad, the chief of the Awami Muslim League (AML) is also reported to be under threat.
The TTP had decided to target Dr Qadri long ago when he criticised the peace talks between government and the TTP and demanded the government to eliminate militants through a comprehensive military operation, the sources maintained.
Pakistan Today reports that FIRs were registered against 3,000 workers of PAT, including party chief Dr Qadris son Hussain Mohiuddin in relation to the incident at Lahores Model Town on Tuesday, when an anti-encroachment drive was reportedly conducted by a contingent of police personnel in order to remove the barrier outside Dr. Qadris residence. However, party workers alleged, it was an unauthorised raid and demanded warrants. The police responded by baton-charging the unarmed people and fired shots at the protesters who in turn began to hurl rocks at them. Dawn reports that in the violent clash that ensued, at least seven people were killed including women. A number of vehicles were also damaged during the skirmish.
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