Government's patience should not be mistaken for weakness: Asif

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Wednesday that the patience being demonstrated by the government should not be taken as weakness.

In a statement over the current political situation, Asif said the government could take action at any time. He added that the next 48 hours would be critical.




“Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was elected and cannot resign on the demands of a few people.” Asif added that the prime minister could not be removed from office unconstitutionally.

The defence minister further said the government had allowed the protests to be held and the government was still willing to hold dialogue. “There should be no damage done to democracy,” Asif asserted.

Asif warned that the country would be in danger if the constitution or democracy was violated.

Earlier, Pakistan Awami Tehereek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri ordered his workers to surround parliament and not let parliamentarians leave. He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should not be allowed to leave until he resigns; however, the prime minister left via the gate of the presidency and made its way to the PM House.

PAT workers are now trying to make their way to the PM House.