The cleric from Canada: Muhammad Tahir Ul Qadri

Muhammad Tahir Ul Qadri, a Sufi cleric, hardly figured in Pakistan's politics when he moved to Canada. But he has returned with a call to ‘cleanse the system’, triggering a political crisis in Pakistan.

THE MAN

Qadri gained fame for his religious encyclical in 2010, where he opposed terrorism and suicide bombing. He runs an educational and religious organisation with networks all over the world.

HIS DEMANDS

Wants ‘criminals’ to be thrown out of politics. Qadri seeks to change the political system and vows not to leave until he does so. In an interview, Qadri referred to ‘electoral dictatorship’ & ‘ Tahrir Square situation’. He wants a ‘system in place’ to probe integrity of candidates, prompting observers to compare him with Anna Hazare and the Janlokpal movement.

PUBLIC SUPPORT

Qadri has gained traction because Pakistan has seen unprecedented bloodshed in terrorist strikes and other civilian unrest, a high level of corruption in administration.

HIS CLOUT

Qadri seems to have the support of Pak military. Experts say he has been propped up by Rawalpindi to ensure chaos. Most Pakistanis are okay with the Sufi thought, and do not support radical Sunni Islam that has dominated the country’s discourse in the last few decades.

IMMEDIATE CRISIS

Qadri said on his return that he would swarm Islamabad with a million supporters. The rally in Lahore was attended by a lakh, but the one in Islamabad has seen hardly 25,000, although Qadri promised 4 million

RAWALPINDI’SAIM

Polls are due in March & a successful transition from one civilian govt to another, if it happens, would be a first in Pakistan. The political climate favours the return of Nawaz Sharif, who may rein in Pak military. Rawalpindi, hence, would like a political chaos that could see polls postponed and installation of a weak, ‘interim’ government.



SOUND BYTE

“I want to ask you to stay until tomorrow (Wednesday). Hopefully, after tomorrow, there will be no need to stay any longer” and a severe energy crisis.