PM holds out olive branch to PTI chief

Published August 3, 2014
Sharif shakes hand with Khan.— File photo
Sharif shakes hand with Khan.— File photo

MURREE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday asked Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan to convey to Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan that the government was ready to accept his demands in accordance with the Constitution.

Seemingly awed by Imran Khan’s Azadi March on August 14, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif convened a meeting of his close aides to discuss options to deal with the situation.

Sources privy to the meeting said Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan briefed the prime minister about his recent contacts with the PTI chairman.

Besides the interior minister, the meeting was attended by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab Abbasi, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafiq and Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar.

The sources said the meeting also discussed other political issues, alluding to the threat of holding a march by Pakistan Awami Tehrik Chairman Tahirul Qadri.

The sources said the prime minister sought proposals from the cabinet members on how to handle the situation.

The Punjab chief minister and the interior minister have been in Murree for the last two days in connection with Eid celebrations.

Earlier, the chief minister hosted a dinner for the prime minister at Shangla.

Published in Dawn, Aug 3rd, 2014

Opinion

In defamation’s name

In defamation’s name

It provides yet more proof that the undergirding logic of public authority in Pakistan is legal and extra-legal coercion rather than legitimised consent.

Editorial

Mercury rising
Updated 27 May, 2024

Mercury rising

Each of the country's leaders is equally responsible for the deep pit Pakistan seems to have fallen into.
Antibiotic overuse
27 May, 2024

Antibiotic overuse

ANTIMICROBIAL resistance is an escalating crisis claiming some 700,000 lives annually in Pakistan. It is the third...
World Cup team
27 May, 2024

World Cup team

PAKISTAN waited until the very end to name their T20 World Cup squad. Even then, there was last-minute drama. Four...
ICJ rebuke
Updated 26 May, 2024

ICJ rebuke

The reason for Israel’s criminal behaviour is that it is protected by its powerful Western friends.
Hot spells
26 May, 2024

Hot spells

WITH Pakistan already dealing with a heatwave that has affected 26 districts since May 21, word from the climate...
Defiant stance
26 May, 2024

Defiant stance

AT a time when the country is in talks with the IMF for a medium-term loan crucial to bolstering the fragile ...