Nawaz rules out PTI’s ‘Azadi march’ a threat to govt

Published August 3, 2014
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. – File Photo
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. – File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Reiterating his stance of resolving issues through talks, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday night ruled out that his government is under threat by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) ‘million march’ on the federal capital scheduled for August 14.

According to DawnNews, he observed during an interview that political problems were always resolved through dialogue and understanding and not through protests and marches, however, he said the people were fully aware of such designs and would not let them succeed.

Sharif vowed to remove all reservations shown by the PTI and its chief Imran Khan. “Grievances will be addressed through talks whether prior to or after the long march,” he said.

The prime minister said the judiciary and other institutions have been working independently to address complaints of the opposition and they should be trusted.

He said the nation was going through a tough phase with military operation Zarb-i-Azb in progress in North Waziristan Agency to eliminate terrorism from the country.

While the entire nation was fully backing the operation, the opposition parties must also lend their support to the armed forces and internally displaced persons (IDPs), said the PM.

“Opposition should back Pakistani armed forces,” said the premier, adding that the NWA military operation has entered into the decisive stage.

Sharif also called upon the opposition to play a positive and constructive role in the larger interest of the country.

To a question, the prime minister said that the government was taking steps to enhance power generation and expressed his resolve to tackle the issue.

The statement comes on the same day when PTI chief Khan vowed to end what he termed is the 'Sharif family monarchy’ in the country through his party’s ‘Azadi march'.

Speaking to his party workers in Lahore, the PTI chief had said that the sit-in in Islamabad will not end until a ‘new Pakistan’ is made.

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) has reportedly been approaching the PTI for a negotiation prior to their scheduled 'million-man' march to the federal capital on August 14.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has denied any meeting with Imran, while the PTI chief has said there is "no room" for any agreement with the government.

Imran Khan had called his supporters to march to Islamabad in protests of the government's alleged rigging of four key constituencies that the PTI chief says were won fraudulently by the PML-N.

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