ISLAMABAD-
Federal Minister Saad Rafique on Thursday appealed to the leadership pf Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) to do away with rigidity, and allow the state to function, a private news channel reported.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Saad Rafique said the government agreed to five out of the six demands put forth by PTI but Imran Khan remained adamant over Nawaz Sharif’s resignation from the post of prime minister.
He said that except for PTI, all parties are on the same position that the PM will not be resigning.
“The Parliament is standing by Prime Minister. How an elected PM could be sent home without proofs? “, he said.
He said that the government had been in contact with Khan since Ramadan to convince him to postpone his long march, but he refused. He added that the government held out assurance that all of PTI’s demands have been met, therefore women and children be allowed to go home, but,” he added “we received no reply from Imran Khan, despite our offers he is still adamant on PM’s resignation and dissolution of assemblies.”
The federal minister further said that the PTI chief has been using non-parliamentary language in his protest, but the government has not replied in the same tone.
He appealed to Khan and Qadri refrain from inciting their workers on clash with government and resume the talks.
“Let them go home. Who will be responsible in case of loss of lives?,” he said.
“We don’t want any confrontation,” he added.
Talking about talks with PAT Chief Dr.Tahirul Qadri, he said that three round of dialogues were held with PAT chief and most of of the demands on his 10-point agenda were accepted but, he added, Dr. Qadri did not come up with any concrete suggestions on electoral reforms.
“He refused the offer to become head of government’s reforms committee,” added Saad Rafique.