The Directorate of Media and Public Relations of Minhaj-ul-Quran International organized a meeting of senior journalists with Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri through video conferencing. The prominent senior journalists including Sohail Warriach of Jang newspaper and Geo TV and renowned anchor Prof Abdur Raoof participated in the meeting.

The formal proceedings of the Conference got underway with the recitation from the Holy Quran followed up by Naat. Qazi Faiz-ul-Islam, Director Media of MQI, presented the welcome address and thanked senior journalists for their participation in the meeting. He also threw light on the relief and rescue operations for the flood affectees being carried out by Minhaj Welfare Foundation in the flood-hit areas of the country.

Addressing the journalists from London through video conferencing, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that democracy meant the rule of people but the version of democracy currently in operation in Pakistan represented the opposite. He said that democracy in vogue was the biggest threat to people’s life and honour, while in the real democracy members of even a household voted out of their free will without any coercion. He deplored that the Pakistani version of democracy was a means to buttress one percent ruling elite economically and politically at the cost of 99% people, who should have been real stakeholder in the system. He said that every political party looked forward to ‘reaping the fruits’ of democracy before making their escape good with ill gotten money.

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that power had remained concentrated in a few families since the inception of the country and political dynasties had been ruling turn by turn. “As long as the present system remains intact, forget about any reform and change. It does not offer any space to the competent middle class representation. If we want real change to happen, we would have to say good bye to this system once and for all,” Shaykh-ul-Islam opined.

In a reply to a question, he asked the people of Pakistan not to vote for religious and corrupt political leadership. Otherwise nothing would be left of the country. He said that the political leadership of various hues and colours divided people in different groups, which was unfortunate. The present electoral system, he added, only served the interests of a few powerful families.

To another question, Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that his historic Fatwa (religious decree against terrorism) is being discussed on hundreds of thousands websites around the world. The Fatwa played significant role in changing the mindset of millions of people. He regretted that terrorist organizations were operating under new names after facing bans by the government.

Commenting on the role of the Pakistani parliament, he said that instead of rising to the occasion and leading the people, our parliament remained wedded to the status quo whereby the rights of the elite class were protected. He also regretted the re-election of the fake degree holders, saying that it was the worst joke and violation of the spirit of democracy. He urged the media and the people to raise their voice against the present corruption-ridden system.