Pakistan: Qadri Contradicts Qadri

Do you remember the joint press conference held by the Chaudharies of Gujarat and Mr Tahir-ul-Qadri on 31st May in London? The one in which they introduced their alliance and announced plans to form a grand alliance comprising of ‘patriotic parties and forces’ to topple the PML-N government. Yes, well, Mr Qadri would now like you to forget all about it. Never happened. He claims that forming a grand alliance was never his agenda, and once again proves that he is unreliable and unpredictable. It would be interesting to see what the PML-Q leadership and Mr Sheikh Rasheed have to say about this surprising development. Now that Mr Qadri has abandoned his earlier position, will they consider abandoning him? Or will they continue to desperately hold on to the dream that they shared not many days back? If an anti-government grand alliance is in fact off the table, it is difficult to imagine Mr Qadri’s allies will not ask themselves: what are we doing here, then?

What could be the reasons behind Mr Qadri’s apparent change of heart? There are a few possibilities which may explain the situation. Could it be that the PML-N government has been successful in putting Mr Qadri on the back foot? The PAT chief and his supporters could be in serious trouble for the difficulties faced by Emirates Airline and passengers on the day of his arrival. Reportedly, Mr Qadri’s supporters blocked exits, forcing passengers to stay on the plane after landing at Lahore airport. Several PAT workers are facing charges for causing unrest and attacking Police personnel. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has now initiated a probe into Mr Qadri’s assets. Perhaps things didn’t turn out the way Mr Qadri envisioned, and now under pressure from the Nawaz government, he is retreating carefully. There is another possibility. Maybe those who have Mr Qadri’s ears have whispered new instructions: not yet. The revolution, the sort Mr Qadri wishes to bring, can be halted and restarted at will. That is the beauty of fake movements. They do not deliver because they are not supposed to. Promises do not need to be fulfilled, claims don’t have to be proven. There is no moral responsibility, no accountability. What does Mr Qadri really stand to lose if his ‘revolution’ fails? Credibility? Political space? Can’t lose what you don’t have. Therefore, if the idea is simply to cause havoc without any regard for the consequences, then Mr Qadri can do whatever he wants with the ‘revolution’. He wanted a grand alliance a few days back. He doesn’t want it today. He may want one tomorrow. The means are justified because there is no real end.