Army chief should take notice of elements dragging it into politics: Khursheed Shah

Leader of the opposition in NA says issue of sit-ins will only be resolved in Parliament

PESHAWAR: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah on Wednesday said the army has remained impartial during the current political crisis as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) continue to protest to overthrow the incumbent government.

"Army chief General Raheel Sharif should take notice of elements dragging the army into politics in the current political crisis,” Shah said talking to media representatives in Peshawar.

Further, the leader of the opposition alleged in the past rulers came into power by “riding on the shoulders of the army.”

As the political impasse continues, army has been frequently dragged into speeches by PTI chairman Imran Khan, PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri and other parliamentary leaders.

Defending the Pakistan Peoples Party’s stance to uphold the supremacy of democracy and the Constitution, Shah said that their stance will strengthen Parliament for years to come.

“We are fighting for democracy,” the leader of the opposition said.

“Confronting the Parliament means confronting 200 million people of Pakistan,” Shah said, adding, “The people of Pakistan gave their mandate to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.”

Referring to the ongoing talks between the protesting parties and the government, Shah said: “Negotiations are a responsibility of the government.”

“The issue of sit-ins will also be resolved in Parliament,” he added.

Shah also maintained that the government has adopted a flexible attitude towards the protesting parties in order to safeguard democracy and the Constitution.