23 June 2014
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad successfully persuaded Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri to adopt a 'middle ground' and disembark from the Emirates flight at Lahore airport. Dr Ibad established contacts with the prime minister's office, interior minister Chaudhry Nisar, Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif and Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar to help resolve a crisis-like situation.
After disembarking the aircraft at 3.30 pm Dr Tahirul Qadri profoundly thanked MQM Quaid Altaf Hussain, Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and MQM leadership for finding a peaceful solution to a very serious situation. He Also thanked PML #Q# leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad MNA, Sunni Ittehad Council and some leaders of PTI for lending support to him.
Meanwhile, a Punjab government spokesman said that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif kept monitoring the situation moment to moment after the arrival of the flight of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri at Lahore Airport. The Chief Minister also issued necessary instructions to provincial administration and senior officers of police about handling the situation. Workers of Awami Tehrik were allowed to reach the airport and Jinnah Hospital whereas special security arrangements were made for Tahir-ul-Qadri. No untoward incident occurred at the airport and Jinnah Hospital. The Chief Minister also appreciated the restraint and tolerance shown by police towards noisy and disorderly crowd of PAT workers.
