LAHORE: The Joint Action Committee says matters have come to a point where either side has to give away.

“We will like to make it clear that no terms of compromise will be acceptable to us if they are in conflict with democratic governance and supremacy of parliament,” a press release quoted the JAC as saying.

The committee, it says, is concerned that a very dangerous precedent has been set by acknowledging the demands of a mob as against the constitutionally established order and the will of the people.

It demands that the political forces should proactively defuse the situation without giving in to the demands that undermine the democratic transition. The government should take the lead in ensuring that parliament becomes duly effective and civil institutions are strengthened.

“We hope that all possible restraints will be used to avoid any level of violence to handle the situation. We also make it clear that any disruption of the constitutional rule will not be acceptable and will be actively resisted,” it says.

The JAC is holding a news conference at the Lahore Press Club to elaborate its stance on Wednesday (today).

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2014