KARACHI: Expressing concern over the Islamabad situation, chief of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional Pir Pagara said on Monday that all issues must be resolved through meaningful negotiations.

Talking to a group of journalists, he said the situation was not only affecting the writ of the government but could prove harmful to democracy.

He said the situation demanded that the tactics of coercion and violence be given up immediately to end political uncertainty.

He said that for the past one month the country had been paralysed causing a tremendous loss to the economy.

He said the cancellation of scheduled visits of foreign dignitaries put the country’s prestige at stake.

“For the sake of the country all parties concerned should review their attitude, realise their national collective responsibility and show flexibility to come out the crisis and save democracy from derailment,” he added. Pir Pagara further said that at present when the armed forces were busy in fight against militancy, everyone ought to be united and strive for the stability and prosperity of the country.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2014