According to sources, the embattled Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif informed army chief General Raheel Sharif that he will not resign in the wake of protests by Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Insiders said that in the meeting that lasted over two hours, the prime minister and army chief discussed the ongoing political crisis in detail - and its likely fallout.
Sources said that General Sharif presented a range of options before Nawaz, including stepping down for a month to allow for investigations over last year's elections to conclude.
However, a senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader insisted that the prime minister will not step down, and will in fact address a joint session of Parliament on Tuesday.
Following his intense meeting with the army chief, the prime minister is currently holding negotiations with opposition leaders. There were also reports by a private television channel that the army chief had asked the premier to resign but the reports were immediately clarified by the ISPR spokesperson Asim Bajwa, who said the reports were baseless.
On Sunday, the army called on the government and protesters to resolve their differences peacefully Sunday night but ominously warned it was "committed to playing its part in ensuring security of the state", after clashes left three dead.
The Corps Commander meeting, brought forward a day, came after violence broke out Saturday night when thousands of supporters of Imran Khan and Tahir-ul-Qadri tried to storm Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's house, demanding his resignation.
"While reaffirming support to democracy, the conference reviewed with serious concern, the existing political crisis and the violent turn it has taken, resulting in large scale injuries and loss of lives," said an ISPR statement after the meeting.
"It was once again reiterated that the situation should be resolved politically without wasting any time and without recourse to violent means."
They added: "(The) army remains committed to playing its part in ensuring security of the state and will never fall short of meeting national aspirations."
COMMENTS (85)
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@farhan: Nice try Farhan. In that case why do your compatriots say they are Indians when visiting a foreign country? It doesn't help to be the frog in a well.
To save Pakistan and democracy. . please sign this petition and spread the word. Thank You
https://www.change.org/p/muhammad-nawaz-sharif-investigate-conspiracy-against-democracy
@Rahul...... Somalia are better than Pakistan...,but still Pakistan is far better that India....
Nawaz is the constitutionally elected prime minister. The army is using Imran Khan and Qadri as trojan horses to launch the coup to usurp constitutional democracy once again. Sharif should stay put and refuse to step down. If anyone has lost confidence in the prime minister, the constitutional and legal way to challenge him would be to call for a no-confidence vote in the parliament.
Nawaz fails to recognise the situation we are in. If he doesnt want to step down then well, he needs to make some negotiations because everyone knows that the elections were rigged. If he doesnt do any of the two things than he fails as a PM and fails us Pakistanis destroying whatever our founder Jinnah fought for.
He is anti state, anti Pakistani and anti army. If he is allowed to remain the PM he will destroy the armed forces, all institutions and sell the nuclear assets and the money he will get in return will be pocketed by him. So my Pakistani bretherns pray that Imran Khan is successful in removing him.
Are you from Sharif family@Faisal:
The bravest lion in the country NAWAZ SHARIF .CIVIL SUPREMACY
History repeats itself.......Consider the following newspaper reports over last 50 or so years, then 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.
PM who tells lies to the nation is totally not acceptable. Nawaz Sharif must resign now. Both sharif brothers are responsible for the murders of innocent Pakistani Civilians. Army must act now.
@muhammad kashif iqbal: yeah and Pakistanis are still ignorant about UN resolution....yeah
Though entire world seems to be calm and quite on the on going developments in Pakistan but it does not means that the mob will be allowed to topple the elected government . All these people are not knowing what they are doing and whom they are going to help and if they know it then world is not ready to accept it . Their demand may be correct but the means they are adopting is not acceptable . And hence Try to avoid blood shed .
@Mohammed Ali: Pakistan army has ruled Pakistan for over 30 years and has absolutely not delivered anything except a record breaking surrender in human history in 1971, lotacracy and rigging 1964, 1986, 2002 elections, seperation of East Pakistan.
Dear Mr.Prime Minister Nation and all Pakistani Society stand behind you.
Never ever resign due to the pressure of liars.These liars are continuously telling lies to nation and their workers.
We believe that you are the only leader who can bring country out of economic crisis.
Plz save the country,donot blam each others.
Can any one tell us the real DEMOCRACY meaning??..Is it just about the winners ONLY complete 5 years terms ?? like just the previous government did in past 5 years?? while the common men rights been continuously and openly denied?? plus inflammation, bank bankruptcy, economic fall down, education loss, business loss, no lights, no water.............. ??
Our politicians are deeply required to study the DEMOCRACY with deeply and real meaning to strengthen their every citizen rights and improve their life styles. Thanks
As an independent observer from across the border, I full agree with the Pak PM to continue and not resign his post. NS enjoys an absolute majority in the house and as per democratic norms he along with his government can only be removed through a no confidence motion. As far as rigging allegations are concerned, the matter has to be decided by judiciary and NS is innocent till proved guilty by the honourable courts of the country. Poor governance and autocratic rule cannot be made as a basis for his resignation as people of Pakistan can reject him in the next general elections. Imran Khan should have necessarily waited for four years rather than making unconstitutional demands which has brought the country to a stand-still.
It has been quite clear for some time that script has been written by agencies. People will regret getting a religious fanatic and a person who wants to become prime minister at any cost all bunch of opportunists. Pakistan will become an outcast. Is set back 50 yrs again. As a last act Nawaz sharif should refuse to go quietly, always pro Pak army. I find myself embarrassed at the role it is playing. Raheel Sharif you come from a family of highly acclaimed martyrs, do one favor to the country do one sacrifice for country that is not your life, but side with the NS that is right thing to do. Get rid of these conspirators have the agencies work within the framework of law. Stop paying lip service to duty. Your army and your family has sacrificed too much to go down in history as a man who did not do the right thing. Ayub zia and mushraff brought enough disgrace to country, you need to right thing.
Army wants to keep its control, When the elected PM acts on its own then this is the outcome!
Just rumours! Don't believe every thing you read or hear.
@Ch. Allah Daad: And its govt's duty to safeguard the lives of its citizens and not to kill them in daylight and then denty justice Govt is having taste of its own medicine. Only when the likes of Maryam Nawaz Shareef and Marvi Memon will meet the same fate as the women did in Model Town, only then these thugs would understand what it feels like to lose a loved one. ET print this ....you've been extremely biased for some time now....
@Shafaq: You, like all remaining supporters of the power-mad Imran Khan, fail to understand a lot of things.
@Humza: It is not a mob. 14 people were killed including women. Victims family's have been denied justice point blankly...when the govt can not show morals then it should not expect it either. Period.
@Yash: Going to oath ceremony of modi against the wishes of people of pakistan. inviting NS to ceremony is perhaps that channel is reffering to.
@Rahul: Pakistanis are up for their rights. We are glad to see pakistanis have starting to realise what is best for pakistan. Nation will only rise from here not fall.
The unconstitutional forces trying to dislodge an democratically elected government should be defeated by the people. A government should be defeated by majority vote in Parliament not on the streets, through orchestrated crowds. Strengthen democracy and prosper.
@Waleed Amjad: Due to so called Lion of Punjab, nation is in this trauma! I would prefere to be either Lion or Tiger of Pakistan instead!
Sharif brothers' thugs, through their equally thuggish and brutal Police, are committing worst type of atrocities on peaceful potesters who had displayed no aggression during their marches from Lahore to Islamabad, and during their two weeks' stay there and who only wanted to stage a peaceful protest in front of Prime Minister's House. Even media people were not spared.
I wonder whether superior judiciary or even more resourceful people who have the power to intervene, and did intervene in the past on several occasions, will do so again in this instance as well or could it be that the surname Sharif does something to people. Veteran politician Shaikh Rasheed talked about Guddu Pappu Generals some times back though I have been under the impression that the era of such Generals had ended in the last millenium, at least so far as Pakistan was concerned.
Karachi
seriously Imran khan thinks that one month is enough to audit the elections. he is more stupid then i thought. he knows that asking him to resign is ludicrous so decides with the one month policy instead. im sure Ik's IQ level is less than gullu butt..
@Humza: @Ali:
The point is that through its incompetence the Government has lost all political, moral, and administrative authority. While I want it to stop the mayhem in Islamabad, but who is going to ring the bell. It looks like civil disobedience is the new game of the town. The officials are demoralized and refuse to take any action.
Long Live the lion of punjab, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif
@Habib Khan: Allah bless Pakistan. Allah bless Nawaz Sharif.
You need more than this to run the government. 10 day umra with 200 crates of mangoes, or mere payers don't help.
The fate has been sealed. The defections will start now.
This is the political death of both the stooges Imran Khan and Tahir Qadri.
@Riz: If the 2013 election was rigged then how is it that PTI won the KP assembly? This shows Imran is selective. He accepts what he has gained and disputes what he has not. What a political leader? He fits Pakistan well.
NS shouldnt resign at any cost. Otherwise a very dangerous precedent will be formed, no govt. will be able to finish it's tenure. IK and the Canadian cleric should be arrested for inciting hate and anti state activities.
It is confirmed now that NS is a slow learner or not competent. He proved it third time.
Go Imran Go. Go Qadri Go.
No hope from Imran and Qadri who are anarchists as well as puppets of establishment.
Nawaz Sharif, Stand firm and don't give in to these hoodlums. IK and TQ are playing a game which they are bound to loose. People support Pakistan, its Parliament and constitution. Any change should come through constitutional means and not through shouting and demonstrations. If you give in, Nawaz Sharif, you will not be forgiven by the people. STAND FIRM AND PEOPLE ARE WITH YOU.
Nawaz Shariff Premiership is not Ownership of Pakistan, Those who do not learn from their past are condemned to repeat it.
PM Nawaz Sharif should not resign. Mockery is being made of the Constitution by PTI and PAT leaders in Islamabad This has to stop!
PM should immediately call Bashar Assad for lesson in 'how to ruin country in 60 days due to arrogance' . IMO , current leadership is incapable and even if by a miracle IK and TUQ step down from demands some new challenge will pop up in next few weeks. They are not capable of handling let alone resolving the complicated situation and challenges of Pakistan.
@Yash i think you didn't understand the presenters, it was a teaser. Mr. Modi is only capable to massacre in his home town Gujrat not in Pakistan.
In democracy, the umpire is the voter, who votes in or out any party. The process is slow but, but effective. Insafian will learn it the hard way.
@Rahul:
Hmm well i guess no one can ever contest India in its women problems since no other country with so many rape issues comes anywhere near close for it. So yeah I guess you can be worry free. How about concentrating on own problems? NS has a highly likely chance of getting hanged now or in future, its the progressive Pakistan in hands of competent leadership Hindus never want to see.
@muhammad kashif iqbal: Which UN resolution?
NS should step down and bring in house change to protect his party government otherwise get ready to say bye bye to his government and democracy from Pakistan again ...
Nawaz Sharif and/ or his family has ruled Pakistan for over 30 years and has absolutely not delivered anything except Motorway (that too with a long list of corruption allegations). Rigging is not constitutional so how rigged mandate can be legal/ constitutional. One may disagree with IKs way to ouster Nawaz but again what Nawaz has done during his current tenure. NOTHING except corruption. God forbid if NS is able to complete his tenure he will again deliver a project similar to metro bus and again come into power by rigging. Pak Fauj!! you should know our (Nations) ASPIRATIONS...
The one who digs a pit for others, himself falls into it.
PMLN did precisely the same for 2 years against Yousuf Raza Gillani in connivance with Geo and the corrupt Iftikhar Chaudhry. Now they are tasting their own medicine.
Army should stop this drama and in absolute terms order anarchists to vacate Islamabad. Its their duty to save state, constitution and democracy.
Allah bless Pakistan. Allah bless Nawaz Sharif.
PML-n all the way
PM is not stepping down for a month to allow for investigations over last year’s elections, because he knows that he is not elected one! he is liar!
NS should never resign. His resignation is the insult of voters.
Who leaked the confidential news out of the high level meeting?
Can army explain what is the difference btween taliban trying to take over the country through terror and anarchists trying to take over Islamabad through mobs.
@Jibran: If Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri are able to force an elected government to resign with a mob of several thousand, what will prevent violent protesters from repeating this scenario again and again? That is why it is so important that Nawaz Sharif not resign because it will encourage mob rule again and again by showing that attacking with sticks pays off. What is needed is form police action to arrest the leaders of the protests and disperse the violent protesters once and for all.
@Yash:
That commentator has gone lunatic.
GO NAWAZ GO
@Yash: For not taking advantage of it and thereby forcing the issue.
Its evolution, yet it is slow in pace but sure of evolution ...n ! we learn by experiences, experience has cost, in our case just the Cost of evolution is high .. :(
Why is the army chief meeting only NS? IK and TUQ should have been present at the meeting as well, so that all parties are involved in the negotiations. seems the army chief is openly supporting NS :(
It's sad to see the break down of law and order in Pakistan once again. Imran and Quadri have both taken the law into their hands and PM Nawaz Sharief is not prepared to give up his office. I do not understand why the army is acting as spectators.Possibly if they did intervene Pakistan would not get any further financial help from the west.Hope the army would step in without any further hesitation and save a civil war.We have all been watching the unrest on the streets of Pakistan.I was very surprised when a very respectable and senior commentator or ARY digital, indirectly blamed Indian PM Mr. Modi for the happenings in Pakistan. Fail to understand how can India beheld responsible?
The Govt should have had the courage either to initiate honest poll reforms and / or rigging investigation by mutually accepted parties or take action against the protestors breaking police defences and entering institutions of the state. Perhaps NS , is too clever and knowing that public opinion is against army take over , is allowing IK and Qadri to lose public support by letting the issue meander to its boring conclusion .
You need a LEADER like ASIF ALI ZARDARI, who can still HUG with worst enemies and stand-by with them in their bad times, like this one.
You also need a NEGOTIATOR like REHMAN MALIK, who can win the hearts and minds of opponent and makes their tongue POISON-FREE.
You can never be in MORE crisis than the PPP when it was ruling. Everything was against them, Yet everything Kept running.
Army should take over on asap. I failed to understand why they are waiting to take an action?
Electronic & biometric voting in the future please.
Lets spend what we need to now, rather than lose billions in the future.
I wish we could export our mullahs and politicians somewhere (Mars)
Nawaz and his ministers thought they could run the country through lies and deceit. They thought if Maryam Nawaz tells us Pakistan is shining, people would believe it. They thought by murdering people, they could silence dissent. Ishaq Dar could fudge numbers, and disburse 500 billion without audit to his cohorts. Nawaz Sharif could start projects only to extend his business interests, and people could be fooled. His family members could sit in high level meetings without oath, and people will not notice their royalty.
If anything happens now, Nawaz and his Injustice League will be 80% responsible, rest of the blame to be shared by Imran Khan, Superior judiciary, and the election commission.
Good governance! Whatever Nawaz and his incompetent ministers touch, they ruin it completely.
Plz dont forget Model Town, chief sb
PM should not resign at any cost. Police should be reinforced and should use force against these attackers and looters. Qadri and Khan should be charged with mutiny. PM if you bow in front of army and its stooges, we shall never see political govt free from military intervention again. I dony support pmln but i do support my country and its institutions, both are currently under attack from Pti and Pat.
@Rahul: Sir, you are right because nowadays Nawaz Sharif is Prime Minister of Pakistan that is why Pakistan is facing such like situation.
High time for NS to act sensibly else this brave army chief will not spare him.
I don't know why they are meeting. I also don't know what was discussed in yesterday's 3 hours meeting. Everybody knows rigging in last years election. then why this meeting. May be PM Sharif offered more money to COAS.
Somalia will be proud today.They say atleast we are better than Pakistan.