Shahbaz denies resignation 'rumours'

Published August 24, 2014
Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif are expected to meet with Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif later in the evening.  — File photo
Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif are expected to meet with Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif later in the evening. — File photo

ISLAMABAD: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif denied reports that the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) government was considering his resignation as a means to end the political crisis.

DawnNews anchorperson Meher Bukhari quoted sources as saying that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was informed about the decision of Shahbaz Sharif's resignation from the post of Punjab chief minister during a meeting held between the two brothers today at Jaati Umra.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Mashhood talking to Dawn categorically rejected the reports that the option of Shahbaz Sharif's resignation was under consideration.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan Peoples Party leader Shaukat Basra had claimed that the government was ready to register the First Information Report over the Model Town incident, which had claimed the lives of at least 14 people on June 17, and was also considering the option of Shahbaz Sharif's resignation.

Basra had further said that Raja Ashfaq Sarwar and Mujtaba Shuja were being considered as options for the post of chief minister if Shahbaz were to resign.

Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Shahbaz Sharif are expected to meet with Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif later in the evening.

Sources told Dawn that during the meeting both sides would discuss ways and means to end deadlock between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

After meeting military leadership both senior government leaders would meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and brief him about discussions held with military leadership.

Sources added that the the final decision over the political crisis that has emerged following the anti-government sit-ins being staged by the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and PTI in the federal capital city would be taken by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif very soon.

A senior PAT leader Amir Fareed talking to Dawn alleged that PM Nawaz Sharif had offered former president Asif Ali Zardari to become the President of Pakistan.The claim was denied by PPP sources.

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