Pindiites want to join ‘long march’ for change

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri’s ‘long march’ remained hot topic among the residents of Rawalpindi as they remained busy in discussing its ramifications.

Most residents were taking interest in the ‘long march’ for the sake of change in the prevailing system in the country. Fed up with corruption, shortage of basic facilities of life and poor law and order situation, people told this correspondent that they wanted change and a new system in which they could live peacefully.

All-Pakistan Civil Society Chairman Azhar Mir said that citizens wanted change in the country to get basic needs fulfilled without any problem. “It is not a problem for them that who is their leader. They just want a better life,” he said. He stated that the ‘long march’ of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri would be successful because people belonging to all walks of life were facing ever-increasing difficulties for five years. “People want a leader who could lead them towards change and get rid of the present setup,” he said.

Muhammad Yousaf, a resident of Rawalpindi, said that he was not affiliated with the Tehrik Minhaj-ul-Quran, but the views of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri against the government were 100% right. “Therefore, I will warmly welcome the ‘long march’ participants in Rawalpindi and participate in the rally on Monday (today),” he assured. He said that what kind of relief the government has provided to the nation. The government has snatched ‘roti, kapra aur makan’ from them, he added.

Shakir Hussain, a poor man, said that people would join the ‘long march’ in large numbers against the regime. “Public wants change in the country at any cost. People want all basic facilities of life, but the government has snatched everything from them,” he said. “If the government considers that the ‘long march’ is baseless then why it is taking it so seriously and why it is afraid of it. In fact, the government is not afraid of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri, it is actually afraid of the public wrath,” he added.

Shazia Bashir, a political science student, said that the ‘long march’ would not bring any change against the present corrupt setup. “But, it will show that our people still have courage to appear on roads, which is a positive sign. Otherwise, the government has sucked even the last drop of blood from their bodies. We should welcome the ‘long march’ participants with open arms.”

Awami Muslim League (AML) Chairman Sheikh Rashid Ahmed warned the federal government that the ‘long march’ would greatly affect the current setup. He suggested to the Punjab government not to create hurdles in the way of the ‘long march’ participants because the federal government is clever and wants to shift all burden to it. The Punjab government should have made foolproof security arrangements and taken other necessary facilities for the ‘long march’ participants, he suggested. “I have decided to accord warm welcome to the ‘long march’ participants in Rawalpindi,” he claimed.

Source : http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-6-154239-Pindiites-want-to-join-long-march-for-change