ISLAMABAD, March 14: The government is offering the Sharif brothers and lawyers talks to resolve the crisis, but
at the same time finalising arrangements for blocking the entry of long marchers into Islamabad.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik on Saturday offered to hold talks with the Sharif brothers and lawyers, but categorically said President Asif Ali Zardari cannot be coerced into resigning.

“I invite leaders of the PML-N, Jamaat-i-Islami and lawyers for dialogue to find the best possible solution out of the current political crisis,” Mr Malik said at a function at National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) headquarters.
“Dharna (sit-in) and long march cannot change governments (or) compel the president to resign.”

According to him, the PML-N leadership should realise that “there is a procedure to follow regarding court verdicts.
“I am ready to sit with the PML-N leadership because we believe that national interests must be given preference over personal interests,” Mr Malik said.

Meanwhile, the Islamabad administration tried to persuade leaders of the lawyers’ movement to call off the long march, but the lawyers did not respond.

“We have invited lawyers on Mr Malik’s behalf,” a senior official said.

However, another leader of the lawyers’ movement said that despite having invited the lawyers’ leaders for talks, Mr Rehman did not go to Lahore and spent the whole day in the federal capital.

The government insisted that it would not allow long march participants from entering Islamabad unless they agreed to hold protests in one of two places it had identified and guaranteed to remain peaceful.

In the evening, the administration blocked all exits and entry points into Islamabad, which continued till late in the night.
“I offered them airtight security in places (offered by the government) and the Capital Development Authority will ensure facilities they needed.”

Reiterating the government’s resolve to protect people’s life and property, Mr Malik offered safe venues to lawyers in federal capital territory for holding a sit-in.

“While upholding the right to hold a peaceful protest, the government cannot let anyone paralyse the state,” he said, adding that there were intelligence reports about possible terrorist acts, including suicide bombings and target killings.
“This is why the government has asked the PML-N leadership not to endanger the lives of innocent people,” Mr Malik says.

The advisor said although the government believed in reconciliation but would not allow attempts to create a law and order situation.

He said students, civil society members, traders’ organizations like chamber of commerce and industries and family members of those who lost their lives in terrorist acts have demanded of the government not to allow any precession in Islamabad.

“We are not against the lawyers’ protest. They are free to complain, but they must realise the threats of terrorist acts which may cause loss of several lives,” he said.

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