Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the powerful Army Chief on Tuesday agreed on the need to “expeditiously” resolve the political deadlock amid fears of instability in the coup-prone country, as the embattled government stepped up efforts to reach out to protesters.
The meeting between Mr. Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Raheel Sharif came in the wake of protests in the heart of the capital by thousands of supporters of Imran Khan and cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri, demanding the Prime Minister’s resignation.
“Overall security environment including the prevailing situation was discussed in the meeting. There was a consensus on the need to resolve the ongoing issue expeditiously in the best national interest,” a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said. The government did not give further details about the meeting but the army has already asked the two sides to end the crisis through negotiations.
Mr. Qadri, who gave a 48-hour ultimatum to Mr. Sharif on Monday to step down, warned on Tuesday that either the government steps down in 23 hours, or blood would be spilled.
Political stalemate has continued for the last 13 days with the Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Mr. Qadri’s Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) refusing to budge from their demand of the Prime Minister’s resignation over allegations of rigging in last year’s general election and killing of 14 PAT supporters in Lahore on June 17. Back channel consultations were on to reach an amicable settlement.
“There has been a deadlock with the PTI and Qadri’s PAT over one point — Prime Minister Sharif’s resignation. The government is ready to accept all other demands related to rigging and electoral reforms but both the protesting parties are sticking to their one major demand of the Premier’s resignation,” Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar told PTI.
“I am tasked by the government to make a final attempt to convince Mr. Khan to drop his demand of Prime Minister’s resignation for the sake of democracy and the people of this country,” the Governor said, adding that Mr. Sharif was ready to meet Mr. Khan provided the latter was willing to do so.
