QUETTA: Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khurshid Shah has suggested that the PML-N government should reduce its tenure from five years to four years.

Speaking at a press conference in Quetta and addressing a public meeting in Killi Khaizai on Saturday, Mr Shah expressed the hope that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Dr Tahirul Qadri would “tolerate” the PML-N government for another two and a half years. “Nawaz Sharif should also show flexibility in the larger interest of democracy,” he added.

He rejected the demand for mid-term elections and urged the government to resume talks with the PTI and PAT to end the political impasse. Refusing to pursue talks with the protesting parties would be a conspiracy against the people of the country, he said.

In reply to a question, the PPP leader said his party believed in democracy and came forward to defend democracy and democratic institutions. “The PPP and its leadership are not defending Nawaz Sharif and his government.”

The opposition leader said the country was not destroyed by politicians. They had given a constitution to the country, made it a nuclear power and provided basic infrastructure, including roads, highways and seaports, he said, adding that others who ruled the country without a mandate increased problems and difficulties for people.

The PPP leader criticised Imran Khan and Mr Qadri for trying to force an elected prime minister to resign through sit-ins. “They tell lies and make false promises which they cannot fulfil at any cost.”

In reply to a question, Mr Shah said he had sent a legal notice to Imran Khan for levelling baseless charges of corruption against him.

He said for the first time after the passage of the 18th Amendment the government and the opposition had been given the right to choose the chief election commission and the chairman of the National Accountability Bureau. “The NAB has opened cases against the prime minister and opposition parties,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2014