Though top PML-N leaders have been quick to dismiss National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq's apprehensions — expressed Wednesday night — that the government may not be able to complete its term, opposition leaders have smelled blood and are advising caution "in these dangerous times."

Sadiq, while speaking to a TV channel on Wednesday, had said that though the continuity of the democratic system was critical in ensuring the strengthening of institutions in the country, he "does not see the [incumbent] assembly completing its tenure".

"What's happening now has never been witnessed before," he said, adding that everyone should prioritise national interests instead of focusing on personal benefits.

The NA speaker, however, rejected any possibility of a martial law being imposed on the country, saying the current situation was "worse than the Musharraf regime, but there is no chance of martial law".

Read more: Ayaz Sadiq fears PML-N govt will not complete its constitutional term

Leader of the Opposition Khursheed Shah, responding to Sadiq's statement, said the speaker seemed to be telling the "inside story", and that the situation "seemed suspicious" to him as well.

"The way his party is under pressure to hold early elections — it can be seen how the roads are being blocked and fights are being fought everywhere — everyone understands the dangers which Pakistan is going through," Shah said cryptically.

"We should move forward with our eyes open," he warned.

Later, while speaking in the assembly, Shah added that attempts to reduce the Parliament to a rubber stamp for one individual's decisions will be defeated by the opposition.

PPP Senator Aitzaz Ahsan, while speaking to the media, said the NA speaker's statements were being twisted.

He also said that blaming a 'hidden hand' for its troubles is a regular practice of the PML-N.

"If the assemblies have to be broken, the decision has to be taken by the prime minister," he said.

Other members of the Lower House also expressed grave concerns over the dangers to Parliament coming directly from the custodian of the house. They demanded he inform the assembly of the dangers it was facing.

"The speaker's statement paints a horrible picture," MQM MNA Kishwar Zehra said.

PML-N leaders: Everything is all right

Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, when asked to respond to Sadiq's remarks, said: "I don't think he has said such a thing [...] He has expressed his concern for the current situation but has also expressed hope assemblies complete their tenure."

Speaking to journalists in London, Asif said that the crisis was not severe enough to bring the General Election forward to January 2018 or prevent the assemblies from completing their tenures.

"From our perspective, the situation is all right. As far as the opposition is concerned, they do oppose [the government] and it is their right. Other than that, there's no such thing and the assemblies will complete their tenure," the foreign minister assured.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, also in London, told journalists that the assemblies would be dissolved after completing their tenures in June, and that the election would take place in August 2018 as scheduled.

PML-N's captain Safdar also weighed in on the speaker's statement, saying: "If a prime minister with two-thirds majority could not complete his tenure, his team and the assemblies will obviously find themselves in trouble."

"The burden of any attack on the assemblies always falls on the state," he said. "We should learn from the fall of Dhaka."

Meanwhile, veteran politician Javed Hashmi ─ a former member of the PML-N and the PTI ─ urged Sadiq not to lose hope.

"It is we who have to improve the situation. If we all stand up, the destination is not too far away; it is in sight," he said, adding that holding the General Election in August 2018 would be a huge victory for Pakistan.