KARACHI: Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) chief Mian Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said that the country’s military did not recognise its democratic forces, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to DawnNews in an exclusive interview, the PML-N chief said that the military needed to accept the role of the civilian government. Moreover, civilian institutions need to be strengthened and political forces can achieve this objective through mutual trust, he added.

Existing political conditions require immediate elections, he said, adding that the ballot box was the best way to gauge the public’s opinion.

Regardless of who wins the public’s vote, it is imperative that the country’s political forces work together, he added.

Answering a question on the ‘memogate’ scandal, Nawaz said he was unaware if such a memo was ever sent.

“I would not have taken the matter to the courts if the parliament was not dysfunctional,” he said.

Nawaz said the support of Attaullah Mengal had been gained to deal with the insurgency in Balochistan. He added that a ‘package’ was not enough and that Baloch leaders needed to be brought to the table for an effective solution.