Sharif wants to see Khan ruling KP

• PM tells PML-N members in KP Assembly not to support possible no-confidence motion against PTI govt
• Says PML-N believes in democracy, govt not under any threat from long marches and protests
• Nisar tells meeting Imran Khan is in no mood to call off Azadi March on 14th while a formal request for rally has also not been submitted yet

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would not become a part of no-confidence motion in case it is moved in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly to topple the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government.

“We completely respect the mandate of the PTI, but regrettably they do not. Everyone should respect the mandate of the other,” Sharif said while addressing a high-level meeting held at the Prime Minister’s House on Monday.

The meeting discussed at length the PTI’s proposed “Azadi March” and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT)’s “Inqilab March” and the overall political situation of the country.

The prime minister directed his party’s men in the KP Assembly not to become a part of any move to topple the KP government.” We firmly believe in democracy and wish that the PTI government completes its tenure,” Sharif said.

The meeting, besides others was also attended by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Raja Zafarul Haq, Khawaja Asif, Saad Rafiq and Pervaiz Rashid.

Addressing the meeting, the prime minister said that there was no danger to the government from any protest or long march and he was least perturbed from the present situation. He further said that he was prepared to listen to the opposition and remove their reservations and concerns whether they sit with him before the long march or after that or in the parliament.

Sharif regretted that some of the elements wanted to create law and order situation by resorting to the path of violence, however, he said that the masses were familiar with their objectives and would not let them achieve their ulterior motives.

“Political issues are not solved through demonstrations and marches but with negotiations and reconciliation,” he remarked.

Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan gave a briefing to the participants of the meeting about the law and order situation and calling in of Pakistan Army under Article 245 of the Constitution. He lamented that some of the political parties were unnecessarily criticising the government’s move which had invoked this article during their rule.

Nisar also informed the meeting about the outcome of his latest telephonic contact with PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

Sources said that Nisar informed the meeting that the PTI chairman was in no mood to call off his Azadi March and he was also not paying any heed to the requests made in this regard. He further informed that neither Khan nor any member of his party had made any formal request so far for the on-the-road political activities in the capital.

It was decided in the meeting that in case any formal request is made by the PTI for holding political activities in the capital, decision will be made with the consent of the prime minister.