"The long march is peaceful, legal and according to the constitution, and participants do not want to create chaos; but they are struggling to end rising corruption and violation of constitution in the country. The marchers don't want to take over the Presidency and Parliament," he said while addressing his supporters at D-Chowk after the expiration of the 11: 00 am deadline that he unilaterally set for the government to resign and dissolve the assemblies.
He said that millions of his supporters gathered at the D Chowk to raise their voice for their rights and against corruption in the country. He described his speech as "Islamabad declaration" and added that it was the voice of the entire nation. He said the declaration consisted of seven points.
Qadri said that through reforms TMQ wanted to create a conducive, political, social atmosphere to sustainable economic growth in order to ensure social development in the country. Dr Qadri said the present government had been unable to develop a national policy against terrorism during the last five years. His proposed 'democratic and electoral reforms' have a seven-point agenda and the last point is the dissolution of assemblies, according to him.
The TMQ chief said he wanted changes and reforms, adding that his 'long march' was democratic and peaceful. "If I ask the marchers to take over Parliament House and the Presidency, no power can stop them from taking over parliament," he averred. He said the main objective of TMQ marchers was to eliminate anarchy and unrest and not to create a law and order situation. He further said the present form of democracy only served the interests of one percent of the population whereas 99 percent remained deprived of their basic rights. Three Ms were needed to win elections within this corrupt system: Money, might and manipulation, he said.
Qadri said the political government was responsible for creating a bad impression of the army. "It is not the job of the army to formulate policies; it is the responsibility of parliament to frame laws," he said. He said the military was only responsible for implementing the government's policies, adding that the army was the defender of the country's ideological and physical boundaries. Only two institutions in the country - the army and the judiciary - had been fulfilling their responsibilities, he said.
He further said that 70 percent of parliamentarians did not pay taxes. "There should be no representation without taxation," he said. He urged his supporters to stand by him until the government fulfils his demands. "Promise me you will not leave until I leave," he said and the crowd raised its hands in support.
Qadri abruptly ended his speech when he was informed that the Supreme Court had issued a directive to arrest Prime Minister Raja Parvez Ashraf in the rental power plant case. "Half of my work is done," he said in jubilation and promised that the rest would be accomplished tomorrow "during my remaining speech".