Media has distorted my statements, claims Qadri

LAHORE: Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri on Monday denied that he had asked workers not to spare those abandoning the 'revolution' march and said that the media is distorting his statements. At a press conference in Lahore, Qadri held up copies of several national newspapers and read from reports that stated he had called on workers to harm those who would abandon his movement. He clarified that his statements from yesterday's speech in Model Town pertained to him and Imran Khan, not his party supporters. Newspapers on Monday widely reported that Qadri had directed his followers not to spare anyone betraying and abandoning the so-called Inqilab march. In a defiant tone, he had asked his followers a day earlier not to take what he called the police’s bullying lying down. “Teach a lesson to the beast. Don’t let him indulge in cruelty against anyone," he said.