LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that he is ready to go to Imran Khan in the interest of progress and prosperity of the country but it is lamentable that Imran and Qadri have joined hands for such a long march and revolution which is aimed at creating anarchy and pushing the country towards darkness.

In a TV interview here on Monday, he said the PTI chairman is in favour of dialogue with the murderers of 40,000 Pakistanis, a reference to Taliban, but he is refusing to negotiate with the democratically elected government for resolving political issues.

Replying to a question, Shahbaz said he had offered dialogue to Imran Khan for more than once, while the prime minister also gave mandate to Jamaat-i-Islami emir Sirajul Haq to hold talks with Imran Khan so that political issues could be resolved through negotiations.

He once again invited the PTI chief in the name of Pakistan and Pakistani people to come forward, hold dialogue seriously, saying political issues should be resolved through parliament.

Know more: Imran spurns PM’s olive branch?

He offered Imran Khan to become the head of electoral reforms committee.

He said the government did not feel threatened by the long march and slogans of revolution; however it is causing economic loss to the country.

He said there is no justification for long march and sit-ins at a time when the armed forces of the country are fighting against terrorism.

Referring to PAT chief Tahirul Qadri’s speech the previous day, he said what kind of revolution could be brought about by a person who was ordering his supporters to kill anyone who returned without revolution and attack the houses of police officials who were on duty.

He said thieves and dacoits, a reference to the Chaudhrys of Gujrat, were also hiding behind the so-called revolutionary. “I am ready to resign if writing off a loan or its interest is proved against me or Sharif family.”

He made an appeal to the nation to reject the long march as the nation is moving towards progress and prosperity under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

H recalled that Imran and Qadri had supported Musharaf in his referendum and were now again trying to undermine the democratic system for which the PML-N and PPP have rendered innumerable sacrifices.

Alluding to the problems being faced by the masses due to placing of containers in Lahore and elsewhere, Shahbaz said the step was necessary for protecting the life and property of the citizens.

He said due to instigation of the so-called revolutionary police were subjected to violence from Bhakkar to Lahore as a result of which a police official was martyred while several got injured but police displayed patience and restraint. He said had the police not made proper arrangements, these so-called revolutionaries would have crossed all limits.

Replying to a question, Shahbaz Sharif said the matter of Pervez Musharaf is sub judice and whatever decision court will give, the prime minister “will decide after considering the verdict.”

Published in Dawn, Aug 12th, 2014