ISLAMABAD - President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday ruled out the possibility of any operation against participants of a sit-in being staged in Islamabad with Tehrik Minhajul Quran chief Dr Tahirul Qadri in the lead. Zardari assured the nation that there would be no operation against the demonstrators squatting in front of the Parliament House. This clarification from the president came in the evening when all sorts of speculations were being made about the government’s next line of action to deal with the massive sit-in in the Capital. No use of force would be made against the marchers in Islamabad, not at any cost, a private television anchorperson quoted the president as having said to him over telephone. Zardari meanwhile assured Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain that there would be no operation against the demonstrators camped in front of D-Chowk. Shujaat Hussain had said that the situation might get out of control if the government used force against the marchers.Staff Reporters add: Earlier, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the government had a plan to initiate targeted action against the participants of the sit-in but it would not be a kind of operation like that of ‘Lal Masjid Operation’.Addressing a Press conference at National Crisis management Cell of the ministry, he said the government would wait one or two days more, however if the protesters did not end the sit-in, then action could be taken against them.“We have all the modern anti-riot material including intoxicating sprays, best of the best commandos, maximum number of troops and people will see how Rehman Malik will take action against them,” he added.Rehman Malik said that the local administration had showed maximum restrain though Dr Tahirul Qadri breached the code of conduct signed by him. “We will not resort to violence till the last,” he gave assurance to the public.He criticised Dr Qadri for using women and children as shield for his protest. He said that 170 participants of the sit-in including women and children had been admitted to hospital due to shivering cold  “If someone died due to cold, FIR would be registered against Qadri,” he further said.In the evening, Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said the government will not bow to the demands of Dr Qadri.Bitterly criticising Dr Tahirul Qadri, Qamar Zaman Kaira said that on the unrealistic desire of somebody the incumbent political dispensation could not be wrapped up.Talking to media persons at Parliament House on Wednesday, he questioned that how the demands of Minhajul Quran chief could be fulfilled within the parameters of the Constitution.  Kaira said general elections will take place as scheduled sometime between May 5 and 15, and suggested action would be taken if the protests drag on.“There is nothing wrong with raising your concerns and protesting. But if you try to hold the capital hostage and disrupt the lives of its people, the law will take its course.”Kaira ridiculed Qadri, accusing him of staying in a ‘seven-star bunker’ while women and children camp out in the chilly nights and issued a veiled threat alluding to his possible arrest.“If he will go beyond law and constitution, then certainly law will take its own course,” Kaira told reporters.He made it loud and clear that assemblies and Election Commission of Pakistan could not be dissolved at the whim of a person.Kaira said on the one hand Dr Qadri was talking of upholding the Constitution and rule of law while on the other hand all his demands were in clear negation of the Constitution, which the government cannot fulfil.Criticising the tone and tenor of Tahirul Qadri‚ he said the chief of Minhajul Quran should remain within his limits and behave like a gentleman, otherwise, he should be prepared for hearing the same foul remarks from his opponents.“Tahirul Qadri should keep his tone under control, otherwise, political parties will reciprocate in the same manner which will not be appropriate,” he added.

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