As Dr. Qadri urged Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan to join his protest, footage on television showed large gaps in the crowd listening to the cleric.
He also said his followers should be prepared for a crackdown by authorities.
“Our chests are ready for your bullets...The first shot should be fired at me and not my followers,” Dr. Qadri said, sitting inside his special bulletproof container.