Sharifs ponder over APC, ‘happy’ over PPP, ANP’s absence

• Nawaz, Shahbaz discuss opposition agitation, decide to initiate dialogue with all political forces to defeat conspiracies against democracy

LAHORE

INP

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif huddled at Jati Umra in Lahore on Sunday to review the All Parties Conference (APC) held earlier under the aegis of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).

Sources said that the prime minister discussed in detail the consequences of the Model Town incident and the issues being agitated by the opposition political parties to destabilise the government.

The two high-ups vowed to implement a report prepared by the judicial commission formed to probe into the Model Town incident which left nearly a dozen people dead and over 100 injured in Lahore two weeks ago.

It was reportedly decided in the meeting that the government would initiate contacts with all the political parties and the premier would meet Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari during his visit to Sindh next week.

On the occasion, the prime minister said that those indulging in “anti-democratic activities” such as the long march were following an agenda which deprived Pakistan of development, however the government would not allow them to succeed.

Sharif said that the nation needed unity in the wake of ongoing military operation against terrorists but unfortunately certain elements were involved in politics of violence for political gains. He said people had given a five-year mandate to his government and the opposition parties should wait for next elections.

According to reports, the two leaders have also welcomed the absence of PPP and ANP at the conference.