Tahir-ul-Qadri returns to lead 'revolution', clashes erupt in Pak

Lahore/Islamabad, Jun 23: Amid high drama, Canada-based cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri returned to Pakistan today after authorities diverted his Islamabad-bound flight to Lahore fearing unrest in the capital, as clashes between his supporters and police left many injured.

Qadri, a 63-year-old cleric who drew tens of thousands of supporters for a sit-in protest here in January last year demanding electoral reforms, refused to come out of the plane in Lahore saying the aircraft should be taken to its original destination or the army take him in its protective custody.

But later, Qadri came out of the Emirates plane after successful talks with Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar inside the aircraft.

The process of Qadri's immigration has been completed and he was set to leave for his residence in the Model Town area, Geo TV reported.

Sarwar was at the airport with his official car in which Qadri will leave the premises.

The thaw in the standoff came after government refused to involve army for negotiations as Qadri had demanded.

Private guards were also being arranged by Qadri's supporters as he has refused to take any government security.

Many supporters of Qadri's Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) were present outside the airport in Lahore.

Qadri, who has dual nationality, has come back from Canada to lead what he called a "revolution" against the Nawaz Sharif-led government.

Ten supporters of Qadri, including two women, were killed last week during violent clashes with the police.

Last year, Qadri paralysed the capital by rallying thousands of supporters to demand postponement of elections. He had asked for electoral and political reforms before polls.

Earlier today, Qadri had refused to disembark from the plane, saying, "I will not leave the plane until the army officers come and take me in their protective custody."

"I have no trust in the PML-N government which is the murderer of my supporters in Lahore. I will not hold talks with the government. I will only listen to the Pakistan army," Qadri said while talking to the media by phone.

Meanwhile, clashes erupted between police and Qadri's supporters in Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, leaving scores of policemen and activists injured.

Over 70 police personnel were injured when PAT workers pelted stones at them near the airport in Islamabad, Radio Pakistan reported.

Many of Qadri's supporters also sustained injuries in clashes with the police in the capital.

Police had to fire tear gas shells to disperse Qadri's supporters.

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5 facts about 24-year-old Indian student shot dead inside his Audi in Canada

News Network

April 14,2024

New Delhi: A 24-year-old student from India was shot dead inside a car in Canada's South Vancouver, the local police have said. The Vancouver Police in a statement said Chirag Antil, 24, was found dead inside a vehicle in the area after neighbours reported hearing gunshots.

"Officers were called to East 55th Avenue and Main Street around 11 pm on April 12 after residents heard the sound of gunshots. Chirag Antil, 24, was found deceased inside a vehicle in the area. No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing," the police said.

Chirag Antil's brother Ronit told reporters that Chirag seemed happy when they spoke on the phone in morning. Chirag later took out his Audi to go somewhere. That was when he was shot dead.

The Congress students' wing National Students' Union of India chief Varun Choudhary in a post on X tagging the Ministry of External Affairs requested for assistance to the student's family.

"Urgent attention regarding the murder of Chirag Antil, an Indian student in Vancouver, Canada. We urge the Ministry of External Affairs to closely monitor the progress of the investigation and ensure that justice is swiftly served," Mr Choudhary said.

"Additionally, we request the ministry to extend all necessary support and assistance to the family of the deceased during this difficult time," he said.

Chirag Antil's family is raising money through the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe to repatriate his body to India, local media reported.

Haryana resident Romit Antil, the brother of Chirag Antil, told CityNews that he was a kind-hearted person.

"My brother and I had a great relationship. We used to talk every day, day and night. I spoke to him last before the accident happened. He was kind of happy, he never had any issues or fights with anyone, ever. He was an extremely polite person," Romit Antil told CityNews.

Chirag Antil came to Vancouver in September 2022. He just finished MBA at University Canada West, and recently got his work permit.

Here are 5 facts about Chirag Antil

1.   Chirag Antil was a resident of Sonipat, Haryana.
2.   He was the youngest son of Mahavir Antil, a retired employee of the Sugar Mill Department of the Haryana Government.
3.   Chirag moved to Vancouver in 2022 to pursue higher studies at the University Canada West (UCW), in British Columbia.
4.   After completing his MBA, he started working at a company in Canada after getting a work permit.
5.   Chirag's brother Ronit shared in an interview that his younger sibling was a "kind-hearted" person. "I spoke to him last before the accident happened," he said and added that Chirag sounded "happy".

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