"There was a phone call from the army to Chaudhry Nisar when I was with him, and was informed that Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri have sent a request to meet the army chief,” he said while addressing the National Assembly, adding that he conveyed to the army that he had no objection if the two leaders want to meet the army chief.
Nawaz further added that the army would have taken initiative whether or not the government had met with the military on Thursday (yesterday).
“Governments come and go, nobody can be in power forever,” the premier said.
Nawaz's statements followed Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar's apparent justification for the army's involvement in the political crisis.
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, the interior minister said the army's role as mediator was based on demands from Qadri and Imran.
“Bringing the army in to mediate was one of their (PTI and PAT) demands,” Nisar said, adding the army is an apolitical institution, which is working to bring a peaceful and constitutional solution to this crisis.
The interior minister further added that the government would not make any decisions which go against the Constitution. Moreover, he said the PAT was using the Model Town incident as a weapon, and that their purpose was to spread chaos.
Meanwhile, in an impassioned speech in the NA, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah promised that the PPP would not bow down against undemocratic forces even if the government caves in.
"Yesterday an effort was made to put a black mark on the government," he said, adding that the protection of Parliament and the Constitution was utmost important to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
COMMENTS (42)
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After analyzing Nawaz Sharif's conduct as a PM, for me he is not a mentally stable person to run a country like Pakistan. By lying on the floor of parliament, he degraded Army and General Raheel. If we agree to Nawaz Sharif's statement that COAS met PTI and PAT chiefs before getting authorization from PM, doesn't that bother you that COAS on his own spoke to PTI and PAT without his knowledge? The moment PM authorized COAS to negotiate, that was the moment when he surrendered the whole parliament. PM should resign and new caretaker reforms government should be formed for next six months. During these six months, election reforms should be implemented and after full preparations fresh elections should take place to elect new parliament.
Again and again they tried to defame our military. PML(N) and its leadership is such a farce. Its shameful to see people still defending this (NS) hypocrite.
Who dug ditch for you? PM Nawaz as an honest and neutral person I am writing it in your favor despite the fact that I am siding with Imran + Qadri who are after your skin for so many long months and now it is a matter of just few hours, less than 12 hours, when perhaps your fate will be decided once for all. Anyway, at this point of time I want you to please be very cool and calm and look back as to who is your Aristotle and pr who acted as your Plato and to be truly honest to you I am not writing just for writing but for very specific purpose and that too in your greater interest and not mine if you realize. Why did you entangle yourself in number game? Win is winning even by 1 vote so from that point of view you even should not have thought of asking others fir casting bogus votes and or resorting to election rigging tactics. You are undoubtedly most popular figure in Pakistan political arena and had even been twice Prime Minister before so I am pretty sure that Pakistan Muslim League (N) under your command and control must had very easily swept in elections with all legal manners and there was absolutely no need to adopt some illegal ways particularly when Imran Khan was very much in cut throat competition with you which itself necessitated that you must have been extra cautious and alert not to be trapped today or tomorrow. You had been sworn in as Prime Minister of Pakistan and had continued alike for the stipulated period of time but Imran had been after your blood because he wished to be PM instead of you and therefore he very politely but publicly pronounced that there had been mass rigging in elections and thus about 14 months back he demanded through investigation in at least 4 constituencies of National Assembly to find out as to who is the real winner and with how many votes. Very sad to pen that you just ignored and underestimated Imran out rightly without realizing that your such like attitude could fire back on your face. Incidentally Dr Tahir Qadri realizing the gravity of the situation also jumped in the arena and queued up saying that elections were rigged and demanded thorough investigations but you brushed aside Qadri alike Imran which is the biggest mistake of your life to be honest to you. PM had you truly gauged the situation and realized the gravity of the opposition of Imran and Qadri you had saved at least your reputation if not Premiership but you cared too hoots because your so called advisers whom I am naming as Aristotle and Plato had advised that they will inflate Imran so why to listen to him which as such led you to so much cornered that you are not enjoying the powers vested in you by the constitution of Pakistan. You had to lower yourself when you sought help from Zardari and Altaf etc but still you utterly failed in such like desperate movement and could not sail over the biggest humiliation of your life as your both enemies namely Imran and Qadri having embarked upon anti Nawaz movements which over the last few days have gained sufficient strength and public sympathies did not budge whatsoever. PM Nawaz, in your greater interest I would very sincerely wish you to take them to task who not only ill advised you but also put your life at risk. Personify them whosever they are even if your relatives and or bosom friends so that at least I know our Aristotles and Platos (I read true Aristotle and Plato in MA Pol Sc 1996 at PU). Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Former Diplomat / Kuwait / Mobile 00965-66229897 / zaidiformerdiplomat@hotmail.com
My humble request to army.. send nawaz sharif for another 10 year ummrah to saudi arabia..
And ISPR proved him a potential liar
That watch NS is wearing is a Louis Moinet, and the one he's wearing costs more than 1 million $.
To make that much money, if you're making 40,000 Rs./month (which is being pretty generous in Pakistan), it will take you around 200 years if you save all of it, with an exchange rate of 100Rs to a $.
So the PM of a country, who doesn't pay tax, wears a watch worth 200 years of your sweat and blood. Just thought I'd point it out
Nawaz Sharif asked Army Chief to mediate because these stubborn and selfish "leaders" were not ready to listen to any other mediator and were going to attack PM house. The army mediation was seeked since both wanted Army to take over after bloodshed. Better to play Mediator role then an Army Dictator. Both wanted Army to intervene and now blaming government that they invited army. Both are misleading their followers in their effort to destabilise the whole system.
ISPR has clarified... If this cannot justify / clarify the situation to PMLN supporters then god help you.
The PM has spoken the truth on the floor of the house. Yea rightttttttttt
This is why Amir UAE called Nawaz a dangerous person.
@LHR: and what about those stole the election with the help of judiciary and Geo.
Now according to Dawn the army says exactly the opposite.
There is a lot of different meanings in today's statement and what govt said yesterday when army was asked under article 245 to help govt.Twisting wordf ,Bluff and then cheating public is a art with our people who matter.
History repeats itself.......Consider the following newspaper reports, the write your own for 2014 -----it would not be much different !!!!
Sharif attempted to replace Chief of Army Staff General Pervez Musharraf on October 12, 1999, with a family loyalist, Director General ISI Lt. Gen. Ziauddin. Although General Musharraf was out of the country at the time, the Army moved quickly to depose Sharif.
1977-1985 Martial Law With increasing anti-government unrest, the army grew restive. On July 5, 1977, the military removed Bhutto from power and arrested him, declared martial law, and suspended portions of the 1973 constitution. Chief of Army Staff Gen. Muhammad Zia ul-Haq became Chief Martial Law Administrator and promised to hold new elections within three months.
With the death in 1948 of its first head of state, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and the assassination in 1951 of its first Prime Minister, Liaqat Ali Khan, political instability and economic difficulty became prominent features of post-independence Pakistan. On October 7, 1958, President Iskander Mirza, with the support of the army, suspended the 1956 constitution, imposed martial law, and canceled the elections scheduled for January 1959. Twenty days later the military sent Mirza into exile in Britain and Gen. Mohammad Ayub Khan assumed control of a military dictatorship.
.....Only Allah Knows who is lying......
Oops I meant 10 quarters.. over 2 years ... My mind is still in Congress mode... LOL
Meanwhile India under Modi within 100 days of his tenure(touchwood... boori nazar waale tera mooh kaala), grows at 5.7%. Highest in the past 10 months.
Nawaz Sharif you can fool yourself but not the world.!!!
The co regents Nawaz and his brother Shabaz do not have credibility. Zero, zip. The brothers are pen pushers now. One in Lahore, the other in Islamabad.
They know who is the boss........
@Sonya,
It's already clear after last night press release of ISPR, Army Chief shown interest and then met with both , after seeking consent of Government. ( Reason of meeting is now the issue).
But one thing is clear both PTI and PAT leaders are back to 0
Yesterday's statements from govt were that they have asked army to play their role. Actually govt was hopping that army would clear out the protesters, but army flat out refused. Then only option left to Nawaz was to ask army to mediate. Sad that someone who claims to have a huge mandate would run to the army rather then reply on the people and go for re-election. I guess he thinks he won't get away with rigging next time.....actually, I don't think he will get away with rigging this time either!
......from the sublime to the ridiculous to the utterly asinine.
@Blunt: There is rule of law in Pakistan? You mean if I have an altercation with Hamza Shahbaz and he is at fault, I can press charges against him?? Interesting. Surely, such a democracy and rule of law need to be defended.
@I just Love PMLN: You really wish that Sharif family should loose all what his family has earned through years of hard work. People like you have weak morals.
This is very serious issue, who called the army to intervene. Nawaz or the IK and Kadri. no one should move unless this is sorted out . Who is the liar ? We fallow the truth. Please stop all negotiation unless this is sorted out.
Imran and Qadri are a black spot on Pakistan and democracy. Ik would take himself to such a low position is a great shame for his blind supporters
Oh come on... You have been humiliated, your jurisdiction and authenticity as a PM has been questioned. Bringing this excuse up with a sorry face will end up in further humiliation when the reality show goes live in a few days again Mr. Shareef (Nawaz i.e)
Once again, as you have done twice in the past, you have clearly shown that managing the matters of state are not within your capacity, Mr Prime Minister. Time to call it a day?
Another failure of politicians. This is a soft coup. Everyone including Mr. khan is involved in this because people like Siraj ul haq was there to mediate but politicians rejected them and instead chose the army. Every party in the parliament was with PM but he let the army in. Lets see how it pans out. The result of this whole drama will further clear the things that who stands where.
I think Nawaz Sharif is lying. For 14 hours the whole govt machinery was not contradicting press release. How can all news channels and news papers would lie at the same time? This is the only opportunity for PML-N to impeach Nawaz Sharif if this statement is proven a blatant lie. Time to close Sharif chapter. Interior Minister should be sacked if ISPR statement confirmed that PM and Interior Minister were incorrect in their statements.
The serving army General becomes the broker to mediate between the politicians from the Government and the opposition? The guy must be removed from his post.
Rex Minor
Imran and Qadri have proved that they both are ghaleez tareen politicians ever in the political history of Pakistan
NS lied about the existence of his agreement with the Saudi government. So in comparison, this is nothing.
"Even if the government bows, down, we [PPP] will not bow down.” That's the spirit. We need more such forces to strengthen the democracy and rule of law in this country. Respect.
Yes PM is true, actually the COAS even pleaded to mercy of NS before taking matters in hand. or Maybe we all know what the truth is
Who is a looser and who is not.
Begging for your chair, shame on you NS.
The walls of Raiwind Palace will fall sooner than we all anticipated, Justice will be served.
Why not Army make it clear to the nation as to who asked them to become the arbitrator?
If this is true, General Raheel Sharif is indeed the epitome of a professional, patriotic military leader. If only Pakistan produced more of people of this calibre.