The PML-N also stated that the PPP are committed to standing with the government in line with their policy of upholding democracy and the Constitution.
The statements were made by senior leaders of the PML-N following a much-anticipated meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Zardari, and come at a time when the country is gripped by a political crisis.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek are currently camped outside Parliament House, lodging their protest against the government and demanding that the premier step down.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, however, told reporters after the meeting, “Zardari sahib has been very clear… there is no question of the resignation of the prime minister.”
“The PPP reiterated their stance: to continue the path of democracy and the Constitution, they will stand with the PML-N,” he said.
Referring to the protests, the minister said the government had facilitated them and had also permitted them to enter the Red Zone. “We want to solve these issues in accordance with the law and constitution,” he said.
However, he made it a point to mention the setbacks the protests had caused for the country, saying, “The stock exchange has suffered, international visits have been cancelled and the IMF review which was supposed to happen in Pakistan has also been pending.”
Backing Dar’s statements, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said, “We are thankful to Zardari for his stand in the situation. Asking for the PM’s resignation aims to weaken the state.”
In response to a question about the judicial commission, Dar said, “As far as I am concerned, out of PTI’s six demands, two have been dealt with.”
“One, the prime minister wrote a letter to the Supreme Court… to the chief justice requesting the constitution of a judicial commission to look into the many allegations – even though PML-N was not in power at the time,” says the finance minister, making sure to add that the PML-N is not guilty.
“You can’t be the complainant and the judge as well,” says Dar.
“We will not compromise on anything that is extra-constitutional or extra-legal,” Asif said, adding that if other parties’ parliamentary delegations want to also engage in dialogue with PTI, the PML-N would welcome it.
“PML-N and PPP’s meeting strengthened the commitment [to each other],” the unabashed Khawaja Saad Rafique said in response to a question about the meeting.
“This ‘attack’ is not on the government, it is on the law and Constitution,” the minister for railways says, referring to the PTI and PAT.
COMMENTS (24)
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"one hand washes the other" "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours"
two champions of democracy standing up together for rights of corruption
The one quote that Zardari and his cronies have been following with mind, herat, soul and all four limbs is : *Corruption Khapay, Khapay Khapay *. Remember when this gang took over in 2008 the country's total debt was around 6 trillion when they left it was 14 trillion and country was in shambles
Imran started with resignation of PM Nawaz and took stand on it but because of negotiations with the government he has relaxed on it and wants PM Nawaz to be off for 30 days during which judicial investigations shall be carried out to decide the fate of not only Nawaz but Imran too. I think this is win-win situation for both Imran and Nawaz and must be implemented soonest possible. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait
NS will be sacrificed to save democracy! AZ is the political genius!
@Blithe: lol; so this is the worth of PMLN and Nawaz that they had to treat Zardari to a king's lunch to save their pathetic and corrup government?? What a Shame!!
@imran ali: I would rather that than anyone with a mob besieging Islamabad and demanding to become a Prime Minister whenever he wants. There is no room for sore losers like Imran Khan. Learn to work within the system or just stay in a container and have music concerts!
Partners in looting and corruption, coming together to save each other. Forget Swiss bank accounts.
If Imran Khan's demand is accepted then every elected PM will be asked to resign to conduct inquiry on rigging allegations. Imran Khan has no clue what precedent he wants to set. He speaks what Shah Mahmood Qureshi or Sheikh Rasheed whisper in his ears. He has proved himself most immature leader of the country.
The Government is not following the easy solution of this big crises in the country. In democratic set-up P.M. is always on driving seat. If the P.M. his whole family members including cabinet members are having corruption charges against them then the best for P.M. is say Good Bye to the cabinet and nation.
Due to this sit in by PTI & PAT our already crushed and crippling economy damaged very badly. Since P.M. his family and cabinet members are not sincere with the nation and people of Pakistan so why they will take the decision of the resignation of the P.M. The whole team members of P.M.L. (N) are corrupt. Nawaz and Shahbaz family have plundered the nation and taken the undue advantage after following the bad path of favourtism. The PTI and PAT people who are doing sit in for the last more than one week are first muslims and than Pakistanis. The P.M. and other ministers have no soft corner in their hearts for these Pakistanis and also not sincere with the nation.
Since the inception of Pakistan and partition of India Pakistan is unfortunate because of lack of sincere leaders in the country. The dictatorship is the fate of this country because democracy can not work here due to high rates of corruption at all levels.
The democracy is like a foreign seed in Pakistan which will never sown into the soil of Pakistan if we tried to sown this foreign seed in our soil it will never grow.
Our so-called leaders P.M. President and all other Ministers are not capable to resolve the various small problems of the masses. If they are unable to resolve the various issues and unable to give any relief to the masses then they might resign and disolve the assemblies and make neutral interim government for a fresh election. I know election is very expensive in Pakistan and all burden will come to the exchequer and ultimately to the pockets of masses.
I advise in future Government should conduct election in the country province wise. The National and Provincial Assemblies election can be conducted on same day in each province then total four days are required to conduct election in the whole country. In a all booths of single province in one day national and provincial assemblies ballot boxes must be available. The voters must use his adult franchise in one single day. The Government can cut 50% of the election expense.
Looking at the current situation it seems that all seasonal frogs are out even those who are knocked out in recents election. The problem rightly or wrongly IK made up his mind from the beginning that he is a winner and to consume a defeat in election is not acceptable to him.
There are always issues with elections especially in our society, my view is that the way he came up and the un-democratic demands he had made are questionable about his credential being a young leader for nation in many peoples views this approach made him less popular than he was before concert-cum-demonstrations.
It is wise decision of the PM not to resign as if he allowed this precedent then in future no Govt will be safe as their are many parties who can manage larger crowd then what we see today.
If we consider our nation history we are a new country we do have many issues but it is the responsibilities of the leaders to sit together and find a solution and prepare and educate nation to a extent where nobody in future able to manipulate election results.
Let us hope wisdom prevail and we continue to build a better Pakistan for our future generations.
Ishaq Dar doesn't have the basic etiquette of dialogue. He is a member of negotiating team and should not be making public statement rejecting the other side's demand.
All the "heavy mandate" has come to the NS begging Zardari to save him and Shahbaz not having the moral courage to face the guest at his home.
Zardari and Nawaz Sharif are cut from the same cloth, both are corrupt but Zardari is more cunning and smarter than NS. The fact is that it is the struggle between the " Have" and " Have not", the corrupt elite wants to rule the country for ever but it will not remain the same after these protests. The young generation is more aware of their misery and are standing up for their basic rights. Times has changed and perhaps the internet is the biggest contributer towards this chang.
Zardari need to save himself. Most of his money is out of the country. but he still hold lands and numerous commercial properties in Sindh. Plus the 35 house compound/fort at Clifton in Karachi. He is scared. Plus Mohtarma's $300,000 [US] necklace, need to be freed from the Swiss Vault. [He also made a deal for Gilani's son.]
on one side these ministers are part of the negotiations team while on the other side they use harsh language for the protesting parties.
it will be a political suicide for PPP if they side with PMLN, when the whole country is protesting for the future and democracy of Pakistan.
What did we expect from Zardari? How could he force Nawaz to quit? None on the face of earth can force PM Nawaz to tender resignation except either Imran or alternatively Maryam Nawaz Sharif and the rest, if any, are just for photo session and nothing more. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / zaidiformerdiplomat@hotmail.com
Majority of Pakistanis are on the side of constitution and then on the other, we have a bunch few thousand fasadis gathered at D Chowk for entertainment program at the cost of national stability. IK please have mercy on women and children in your group and end this drama, before the silient majority ends your political career for ever, and we start hearing Go Imran Go from everyone corner of Pakistan.
Today it is evident that Imran Khan
1- Is not Zardari's "B" team 2- Is not supported by Army or ISI 3- Doesn't have "Yahoodi" agenda 4- Doesn't have US support
Where as NS is totally opposite. Welcome to Rigged democracy.
Again,, Some Muk Mukka.. yes,, if we don't get straight,, They and their Generation shall rule us.
you protect me,i will protect you...illegal custodian of false democracy...Feudocracy+Dictatoracy= Democracy
Hopefully a clear message to those conducting a series of pop concerts (wrong to call it dharna) .
Even if all the appeals go on IK's favor , he is still way too minuscule up ever become PM.
He can't blackmail his way in. Let the message be clear.