State turmoil: PTI, PAT want to turn country into war zone

Chief minister says PTI retracted from the talks at the ‘final stage’.

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Sunday the onslaught on the parliament and Prime Minister’s House on Saturday was a dark chapter in the country’s history.

“So-called political leaders attacked the most important state buildings and tried to occupy them,” the chief minister told assembly members.

He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s sagacious response had helped save the country from a big tragedy. “The attackers have failed to achieve their goal,” he said.

Sharif said those cashing in on casualties during the Islamabad rioting would face disappointment.

“After Saturday’s violence in the capital it does not suit the enemies of democracy and progress to talk about democratic values,” the chief minister said.

“Which law in the world allows an attack on the parliament and Prime Minister’s House?” Sharif said. He said the buildings that were attacked were the symbol of democracy and the Constitution.

“Those who led the onslaught on state institutions have used women and children as shield,” the chief minister said.

He said that after Saturday’s violence in the Constitution Avenue, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan had lost credibility and support of majority of his followers.

Sharif said Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Tahirul Qadri wanted to turn Pakistan into a battlefield... like some other Islamic countries. “People are aware of the intentions of such elements,” he said.

The chief minister appealed to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz workers and citizens to show restraint. He urged them to keep calm and avoid any confrontation with those provoking agitation.

“The enemies of Pakistan want to derail democracy and create anarchy. We will never let this happen,” Sharif said. He said Imran Khan had been making irresponsible statements and violating law during his anti-government movement.

“This has not helped him become a role model for the youth,” the chief minister said.

He said the government had wanted to resolve all issues through talks. He said the dialogue with the PTI was about to enter the final round when the party took a U-turn.

“Negotiations were in the final stage when they took the extreme step of attacking the parliament and Prime Minister’s House. Imran Khan should explain why he had asked his supporters to resort to the violence,” Sharif said.

The chief minister said the government would continue to work for the welfare of people, particularly the youth.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1^st, 2014.