Hours after a fresh call by Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for early elections in the country for what it called the ruling party’s failure to deal with Faizabad protesters and the subsequent breakout of violence across the country, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Sunday ruled out the possibility of early elections, saying the assemblies would complete their term.
Citing sources within the PML-N, a private media outlet reported that the PML-N’s parliamentary leadership made it clear that the provincial assemblies would not be dissolved, adding that if the situation in the country deteriorated dramatically, it would hold detailed discussions with the parliamentary leaders on the option of holding early elections and come up with a decision.
Sources said PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif was in constant contact with his close aides over the ongoing crisis who suggested that the situation was resolved through talks.
They further said the PML-N had mulled over the speculations of a national and technocrat government and decided that in such a situation the party would use the options of legal, constitutional and public agitation gradually in different phases.
“If the situation does not come under control through dialogue or security measures, the cabinet could be reshuffled and the portfolios of many ministers changed, keeping in view the current situation,” the outlet added, quoting sources.
The PML-N meeting, according to sources, decided that the prime minister would contact parliamentary parties immediately and find a strategy to improve the political situation in the country.
Sources further said that Nawaz Sharif would face all National Accountability Bureau (NAB) references against him and not opt for self-exile, and added that in case the ousted premier was convicted, he would surrender and run the party’s affairs from jail.
Sources also said the federal government had decided that the option of talks with the religious party staging a sit-in would be kept open. The PML-N leadership had also decided to increase mass contact and organise public rallies according to its schedule. The party will adopt a cool and reconciliatory policy rather than opting for any aggressive approach against the sit-in.
It was concluded that the PML-N leadership would contact various political and parliamentary parties over the Faizabad situation.