Turning down speculations, coalition govt decides to complete tenure

• Saad Rafique says by-elections cannot measure popularity or unpopularity of PML-N.
  
• "PDM requests to respect the decisions made by the Parliament," he adds.
• Minister says by-elections proved ECP and establishment are neutral.

LAHORE: Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique Tuesday announced that the federal government will complete its tenure, dismissing all speculation regarding the possible dissolution of the government following PTI's victory in the recently-concluded Punjab by-election.

The decision came after the PML-N faced defeat in the Punjab by-elections in 20 constituencies on July 17 against the PTI.

The PTI won 15 seats,the PML-N managed to clinch victory in only four, while an independent candidate grabbed one.

The announcement was made after a meeting of the coalition government was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore.

Talking about the Punjab by-elections, the railway minister said that these polls cannot measure the popularity or unpopularity of PML-N as the party and the coalition government have won five out of 20 seats.

He said that the PML-N leadership has made sacrifices for democracy, adding that the party knows how to save its politics but it decided not to do so.

"The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) requests to respect the decisions made by the Parliament and that it has its reservations on judicial interpretation of Article 63(A)," said Rafique, adding that "legislation is the Parliament's prerogative and it should not be interfered with."

The Supreme Court, at present, is hearing a case related to the recent changes in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) laws after PTI Chairman Imran Khan challenged the amendments.

Berating Khan, the PML-N leader said that he was a "conspirator and not mentally fit".

"We are applauding our win over five seats, while the person who won 15 seats is still crying," he added.

The minister further said the by-elections proved that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the establishment were neutral.

He demanded that the verdict regarding the PTI's foreign funding case, pending for years, should be announced soon.

On the other hand, JUI-F leader Akram Khan Durrani said that Khan not only attacks the ECP and the judiciary, but was constantly humiliating the institutions.

"If he [Imran Khan] does not stop, the law will take its course," said Durrani.

According to sources, during the meeting, the coalition government decided that early elections were not a good option.

The parties also decided to make efforts to save the chief ministership in Punjab, said the sources.