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25 August 2014

Nawaz Sharif won’t quit, deadlock still on

Aug 25, 2014
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) march during a demonstration in support of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Karachi. AFP

With Pakistan government rejecting the protesters’ demand that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif step down for 30 days to allow an independent probe into the alleged rigging in 2013’s polls, the political deadlock entered the 11th day on Sunday with no breakthrough in sight.

On Sunday, minister for planning and development Ahsan Iqbal said the government has accepted basic demands of the PTI for electoral reforms and transparent investigation into 2013 general elections.

He however said the PTI’s demand for resignation of the Prime Minister is not acceptable.

He said the judicial commission will probe into allegations of rigging and if these accusations were proven, the government will not only step down but also fresh elections will be announced.

Earlier, on Sunday, federal minister for railways Khawaja Saad Rafique held a meeting with Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) chief Tahir-ul-Qadri to discuss end of the sit-in.

“During the meeting, Saad Rafique forwarded the message of PM Nawaz Sharif”, said an official.

The PAT chief said that he is ready for dialogue even if it is with the Prime Minister Sharif and Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif, adding that no power in the world, including United States’ President Barrack Obama, can stop him from his mission.

Addressing the “Inqilab March” participants in Islamabad, he said, “Our foremost demand has been the investigation over the Model Town tragedy and justice for the martyrs.”

He said his dialogue committee has been putting forth this demand over and over again but the government side insists on talking politics.

“No fear or greed can enter our circle of life. Keep your minds clear, this will happen often. They asked me if Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif came to talk to you, will you do it, I said yes. I don’t have problem talking to anyone,” he said.

According to sources, the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader apologised on behalf of PM Sharif over the post-Model Town tragedy situation, where 14 people were allegedly killed by the police.

Former Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned a meeting of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Monday to discuss the current political turmoil.

“PPP’s central executive committee (CEC) will meet in Karachi on 25th of August,” said a PPP leader.

Also on Sunday, a meeting between Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq and National Assembly’s Speaker Ayyaz Sadiq was held.

“During the meeting, the resignations of the PTI were discussed”, said an official.

“Sirajul Haq said that the resignations should not be accepted at the moment as he was hopeful that the matter will be resolved through dialogue”, added the official.

Meanwhile, PTI legislators were planning to form a forward bloc against Mr Khan’s decision to resign from the National Assembly.

At least 13 members of the National Assembly from Khyber Pukhtunkhaw have reportedly opposed Mr Imran Khan’s decision of resigning from the National Assembly. They have formed a group led by MNA Gulzar Khan as more MNAs are reportedly considering joining the dissidents.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who submitted resignations of PTI parliamentarians to the National Assembly Secretariat, said he had not counted how many of the 34 party legislators have resigned.

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