PM, army chief to resolve ongoing crisis 'expeditiously'

The meeting took place at the PM House


Web Desk/reuters August 26, 2014

ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met the army chief on Tuesday, a source in his administration said, as a political deadlock over mass protests for the government's resignation showed no signs of resolution.

"The meeting took place at the Prime Minister's House," said the administration source, who asked not to be identified as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

Sharif and army chief General Raheel Sharif discussed the political situation and other matters, the source added.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the PM House said: “There was a consensus on the need to resolve the ongoing issue expeditiously in the best national interest.”

No other details were immediately available. The army could not be reached for comment.

Protesters led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and PAT chief Tahirul Qadri have vowed to occupy the capital, Islamabad, until Sharif resigns - a demand the premier has rejected.

Thousands of Khan and Qadri supporters are now camped out in the heart of Islamabad - the so-called "Red zone" - but the gathering is peaceful and security forces protecting the key installations have not used force to disperse them.

Sharif has a difficult relationship with the army: his last term in office ended in 1999 when then army chief General Pervez Musharraf launched a coup to usher in a decade of military rule.

Relations with the military soured further when Sharif's government prosecuted Musharraf last year for treason, angering officers who see the army as Pakistan's saviour and despise politicians as corrupt and inefficient.

Government officials and protest leaders have been in sporadic talks since last week to find a peaceful way out of the crisis but Khan has refused to back down unless Sharif quits.

Qadri, for his part, has given the government another deadline to quit by the middle of this week, saying otherwise circumstances might be "uncontrollable".

COMMENTS (26)

ali khan | 9 years ago | Reply

Shame on those that support injustice. Had it been your family in model town then what would have u done. This is peaceful protest. People are asking for their rights.

Rigging has gone on 100 percent. You should as a human fight for what is yours rightfully. And imran tried everything before coming here. He is not asking to be put on the prime minister seat. He is simply saying a re election. He might win but he might not win. He wants a fair system. If you lose fair and square it is fine. But when one cheats you know how it feels.

Ever question how did zardari become third richest in Pakistan and nawaz sharif fifth richest. Please do not say businesses. Their in billions. See for yourself. Shame on peoples mentality.

one who knows | 9 years ago | Reply

@Asif: Quote provision of constitution requiring a pm to resign under duress when the parliemant is with him.

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