Firebrand cleric Tahirul Qadri, who led a massive protest demanding electoral reforms in Pakistan, has announced that he and his family will not contest the upcoming general election to discourage “dynastic politics”.
“My wife, two sons, daughters, daughters-in-law and sons-in-law will not contest the elections. Though there is no legal issue, I have made this decision just to discourage dynastic politics,” Qadri told reporters.

However, leaders of other political parties believe Qadri decided not to contest polls, expected to be held in May, to retain his Canadian nationality.

Under Pakistani laws, a person has to give up his dual nationality to contest elections.

Qadri, who heads the Tehrik Minhaj-ul-Quran, has made conflicting statements on whether his Pakistan Awami Tehrik party will participate in the general election.

The ruling Pakistan People’s Party and main opposition PML-N have questioned why a person who does not want to become part of the electoral process is pressing for electoral reforms.