KARACHI: Chairman Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Dr. Tahirul Qadri has warned that Pakistan is probably the next target of the terrorist group Islamic State (IS).

“I am warning you, after Syria and Iraq, the next target of ISIS could be our country,” he said during a peace conference held at Nishtar Park here on Monday.

“ISIS is gradually gaining a foothold in Pakistan … Its influence is also expanding,” Qadri said.

Qadri claimed that the terrorist group has already launched terrorist activities in the country.

“Foreign elements did not want Pakistan to prosper and they were engaged in fanning extremism and unrest in the country. We have to eliminate the acceptance of terrorism,” he said, adding that Pakistan army and political forces had to rethink their strategy.

Qadri further claimed that Pakistan’s enemies had set their eyes on the country’s nuclear assets.

The conference was attended by Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar, leader of Pak Sarzameen Party Wasim Aftab, leaders of Sikh, Christian and Hindu communities.

Commenting on the poor conditions of Karachi, Qadri said the city’s rights would be restored and that was when the metropolis would start to prosper.

“If Karachi collapsed, Pakistan would collapse,” he added.