Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the powerful Army Chief on Tuesday agreed on the need to “expeditiously” resolve the political deadlock amid fears of instability in the coup-prone country, as the embattled Government stepped up efforts to reach out to protesters.
The meeting between Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Raheel Sharif came in the wake of protests in the heart of the capital by thousands of supporters of Imran Khan and cleric Tahir-ul- Qadri, demanding the Prime Minister’s resignation.
“Overall security environment including the prevailing situation was discussed in the meeting. There was a consensus on the need to resolve the ongoing issue expeditiously in the best national interest,” a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said.
The Government did not give further details about the meeting but the army has already asked the two sides to end the crisis through negotiations. Qadri, who gave a 48-hour ultimatum to Sharif on Monday to step down, warned on Tuesday that either the Government steps down in 23 hours, or blood would be spilled.
“The Sharif brothers should face capital punishment for their crimes,” Qadri said while addressing his supporters.
Political stalemate has continued for the last 13 days with Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Qadri’s Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) refusing to budge from their demand of the Prime Minister’s resignation over allegations of rigging in last year’s general election and killing of 14 PAT supporters in lahore on June 17.