Malik Rehman-once on front eventually pushed back

Pakistan political arena is naturally quite hectic for many months as next general elections are not that distant away in any case but then all of a sudden Dr Qadir Tahir, Chairman, Tehreek Minhajul Quran who holds Canadian nationality as well jumped in stirring the whole situation to the extent that it looked to be very fragile and liquefied which as such brought in Malik Rehman, Interior Minister into picture though his portfolio has nothing to do politics.

Irrespective of the fact whether one likes it or not I simply cannot hold back any further not to write something about Malik Rehman who as a matter of fact being a minister had not been so much in media whether it is television, newspapers and radio etc but due to sudden appearance of Dr Qadri he automatically got such a big boost and attention. It was no more a secret that now one way or the other he was in front almost on daily basis and therefore all those who did know as to who he is came to know of him by name, position and also became familiarized by his face as well which pumped and inflated him to the extent that he started holding press conferences. Now he who had been obscured before could be seen in each news bulletins as well talking about overall security situation in the country in general and about life threats on Qadri in particular. The minister however at the same time, I must commend had always said that as interior minister I will guarantee that none attacks Dr Qadri whatsoever. Funniest part had been that almost each day he had some secret information as to who is going to attack Qadri. He also announced some names of individuals and organizations believed to be terrorists as to who will attack and when.  

As Interior Minister Malik Rehman very sincerely hinted that in the given situation Dr Qadri must be very watchful because he is very much on the hit list of the terrorists who will never ever miss even the remotest possible chance to pounce on such high value target. Minister went ahead saying that he has very credible information that Dr Qadri life is in imminent danger and therefore his words and apprehensions must be taken up very seriously which cannot and should not be taken as simple hearsay. No denying the fact Pakistan is very much under the guns of Taleban and other such terrorists units and regretfully thousands of people have already been attacked and killed by them over many long years and none knows when and where they will attack again and of course from that point of view chance of attack on life Dr Qadri cannot be ruled out. Taleban had attacked in all towns and cities including Lahore where Dr Qadri is residing so then possibility of attack cannot be ruled out provided it is true and not just threat based on guess work.  

However, one way or the other, Dr Qadri never ever felt awed of such threats rather he confronted and contradicted the minister saying that no taleban is after his life and instead he thinks the minister himself is threat to his life which infuriated the minister who then went all out to attack Dr on one count or the other. The situation has been so much drummed up that now both the parties namely Dr and minister had turned warriors and they were almost on war footing. Thousands of the followers of Dr Qadri were very much disturbed and annoyed with the minister statements and attitude but nevertheless they were one voiced on giving full protection to their leader so the threats issued by Malik Rehman had been completely neutralized by them which Rehman took it as an insult so he came out with a different game plan thinking that he can hurl not only stone but even gu him down but the poor minister did not know that eventually he is becoming his own enemy. Malik has asked for reinforcement from other provinces of thousand of rangers, frontier constabulary, elite police and commandos in addition to total police of the capital and adjoining areas. Malik had already sealed all the entrances to Islamabad and sensitive areas where President House, Supreme Court and Parliament House etc are located by placing heavy containers all around and has issued strict warning saying that anyone removing or lifting any container will be very heavily punished.

Malik Rehman now had turned too critical of Dr Qadri movement. He pronounced that Dr Qadri is a Canadian national and therefore he has no right to utter even a word about politics of Pakistan. He also made it public that on his instructions a thorough investigation is being carried out by FIA and other relevant law enforcing agencies to dig deep as to which country; organization or person is backing Dr Qadri which has nothing to do with the agenda he has floated. He even told in a press conference that he has obtained some photographs, videos and newspaper clippings proving as to what had been his past which not people know and the minister was so very proud to say that once he reveals all that through press conference Dr Qadri will be fully exposed to the general public. Malik also said with conviction and authority that Dr Qadri is trying to delay elections and derail democracy which is absolutely incorrect and I have no hesitation to pen that Dr has never ever said about delaying elections rather he insisted that electoral reforms be carried out before conducting elections. Then Malik in sheer desperation turned too much funny like a jester and attacked Dr Qadri on the dress and the head cap he was wearing. He mocked at Dr by saying that he gets instructions from someone who is hidden under the cap and he would like to find out as to who is the person sitting under the cap and issuing directions for Dr Qadri. Then he addressed him a Padri (Father in religion) and not Qadri and laughed at  his                                                                                                                                                                        long dress etc in other words Malik Rehman had stooped so low and become too showy and thought that by jeering alike he will succeed in tarnishing the image and reputation of Dr Qadri but it did not do like he wished. Weeks back Dr has announced in Lahore public gathering that he will address at D Chowk, Islamabad which is facing parliament and Malik Rehman promised to agree to this request when he called on Dr Qadri in Lahore.

Much before start of long march Malik had announced that the marchers led by Dr Qadri starting from Lahore towards Islamabad will not be allowed to enter Islamabad and he instead advised Dr to pick up some other venue than D chock but Dr did not bulge even for fraction of an inch. Malik had also announced that his intelligence agency has intercepted telephonic discussion between two persons who were talking about the logistics involved in attacking Dr Qadri and it was a big news so far as Malik is concerned to shudder and shiver Dr Qadri but nothing doing. The minister also announced that as per his intelligence few bombers have already reached Lahore to attempt on the life of Dr. The long march did not terminate at Rawalpindi and instead it reached Blue Area Islamabad but Dr did not address here and instead asked Malik that his podium be shifted to D Chowk in just 5 minutes and he will address the long marchers from D Chowk and the minister had no choice but to agree to shift the stage from Balue Area to D Chowk. This is really awful to see that when Dr reached the place it was not D Chowk but a bit away from the place he had asked for and therefore Dr insisted that his container be moved further to be at D Chowk which was too bitter for Malik to pocket but he was stuck and had to swallow the bitter quinine and got Dr Qadri container shifted to D Chowk. Dr remained housed in the container at D Chowk for 4 days from where he addressed his marchers and issued ultimatums to the government on one hand while on the other hand Malik had been telling publicly that he has received 1000% guaranteed intelligence reports that Dr Qadri will be attacked and he as minister is informing Dr Qadri to quit to save his life and those children, ladies and old people who are at D Chowk but noting doing.  

Malik Rehman issued very explosive and igniting news at a press conference saying that as per his authenticated intelligence reports any time Dr Qadri will be attacked. He had also said that one FIR has already been lodged in police station of Islamabad on the ground that Dr Qadri has besieged Islamabad, obstructed in smooth functioning of government machinery etc. Malik was too vocal to say that he has already ordered police to come into action and attack long marchers which include women children, old and young people need be. He further announced that he has given his blessings to police and other law enforcing agencies to go for target attack on Dr Qadri if the situation so demands  be and he had cheeks to say that if anything happens I will hold none but Dr liable to face the law. He further said that tomorrow morning he will hold another press conference where he will show all the information he has received from different sources to let people see the real face of Dr Qadri. Each and every time none but Malik Rehman had been holding press conferences, giving interviews etc as if he is the official spokesman but his provocative statements were noticed by President Asif Ali Zardari who then had to invoke his prerogative stopping Malik Rehman to issue any statement on the subject and instead he deputed Information Minister Kaira had to handle the situation which as such had cut the wings of Malik who was flying too high. High powered delegation consisting of 4 ministers minus Malik Rehman was constituted by President Zardari to negotiate with Dr Qadri which eventually was so successful that long march was called off as Islamabad Long March Declaration was signed by Dr Qadri as party one and the government as party two.

What did Malik Rehman earn and learn from Dr Qadri except that he had to bear the insults hurled by Dr on him time and again with no chance to show any evidence against Dr Qadri because president Zardari had just shredded him to pieces and the one who was always on front had pushed back into dark alley whereas Dr Qadri rose up as the most shining and twinkling star. He should not have said that Dr Qadri will not be allowed to enter Islamabad but once he had said so then either he should not have allowed entry into Islamabad or should have resigned if Dr Qadri was allowed to enter Islamabad. What prompted him to touch point of no return which proved too much detrimental to his position and reputation but it must open his eyes not to repeat it unless he is his own enemy.

Iqbal Hadi Zaiid / Kuwait