Pak Army to play mediator amid political deadlock

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), Allama Tahirul Qadri Thursday said they have accepted the role of Chief of Army Staff as a mediator and guarantor in the current political impasse.

Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri told the participants of their separate sit-ins here outside the Parliament House that in the next 24 hours fresh negotiations will begin with the government in the presence of Pak Army as intermediary.

The above developments took place after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif asked the latter to play his positive role in the current political situation of the country.

In his speech, Tahirul Qadri said the ‘government had to knock the door as a beggar’ for seeking the help of Pak Army while Imran Khan said to his supporters: “We would either celebrate tomorrow or give the call that was to be given today.”

Imran Khan said he was putting off his planned course of action for the next 24 hours, as the Army Chief asked him to do so.

Tahirul Qadri told the protesters that he had been assured that all would be sent packing in case the rigging charges proved right.

He also held a motion by raise of hands whether or not the Pak Army be made a guarantor. He said the protestors will have to stay here for another 24 hours, as the Army had sought that much time.

Later, TV footages showed PTI chief Imran Khan and PAT leader Tahirul Qadri leaving the sites of their sit-in for an undisclosed location to hold a meeting with the Army Chief General Raheel Sharif in Islamabad.

Director General ISPR tweeted:

#Army Chief will meet #PTI Chairman #Imran Khan and Chairman #PAT # Allama Tahirul Qadri tonight in Islamabad

— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) August 28, 2014