ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Wednesday said anti-democratic forces should know that “we have given sacrifices for democracy in the past and were ready to do so again”, DawnNews reported.

Speaking during a meeting of the federal cabinet in Islamabad, the prime minister said the demand to dissolve the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was unconstitutional, adding that neither the chief election commissioner, nor any member of the ECP could be removed in an unconstitutional manner.

Prime Minister Ashraf said no one would be allowed to derail the country's democratic set-up, adding that Pakistan was going to have elections in a few weeks' time.

He said the government was fully aware of its political and constitutional obligations and claimed that it would crush the designs of anti-democratic forces that have been trying to destabilise the country.

The premier said the government believed in strong national institutions, adding that the collective wisdom of the coalition parties was strengthening democracy in the country.

He said the government had resolved to hold free and fair elections in accordance with the Constitution.

The prime minister said the government would hold consultations on a caretaker setup with all stakeholders.

Moreover, today’s meeting was expected to give a go-ahead on the country's new trade policy for the next three years.