ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid (PML-Q) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said the army had given a 48 hour ultimatum to the prime minister.

Speaking to DawnNews in an interview, Shujaat said that preparations were under way to hold a referendum for the formation of a national government.

The PML-Q chief said that the army was against Nawaz, adding that the prime minister had opened far too many fronts with the armed forces.

Shujaat added that no one will back down from the demand of the registration of cases against the Sharif brothers and other PML-N leaders over the Model Town tragedy.

He said the protesters were not going anywhere and would only leave once the prime minister resigns.

Shujaat's statement comes a day after the army said it didn't want to intervene in the political crisis which has developed as a result of the protests led by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek.

Although both parties had begun to hold dialogue with the government, PTI has formally called off the talks and PAT chief Tahirul Qadri has vowed to continue the protests until his demands are met.

Shujaat, Elahi meet US ambassador

Meanwhile, sources said Shujaat and Chaudhry Pervez Elahi have met US Ambassador Richard Olson today.

According to sources close to the PML-Q leadership, the meeting which took place at the ambassador's office discussed the prevailing political situation in Pakistan.

The ongoing anti-government protests in Islamabad were also discussed during the meeting, the sources added.

US says not involved in negotiations

Shortly after reports of the PML-Q leaders’ meeting with Olson, a spokesperson for the US embassy in Islamabad clarified that the US is not involved in the process of negotiations between the parties.

A statement from the spokesperson said that the US embassy has been carefully monitoring the demonstrations in Islamabad. However, it said the United States “is in no way involved in the process or discussions between parties”.

“We continue to urge all sides to refrain from violence, exercise restraint, and respect the rule of law,” said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson said peaceful protest and freedom of expression are important aspects of democracy, and that any suggestion to the contrary is unhelpful to dialogue between parties.

The statement reiterated that the US strongly opposes any efforts to impose extra-constitutional changes to the political system in Pakistan.

Also read: US says will not accept extra-constitutional changes in Pakistan

“The United States firmly believes all parties should work together to resolve differences through peaceful dialogue in ways that strengthen Pakistan’s democratic institutions and rule of law,” the spokesperson concluded.