ZAHEER ABBASI

ISLAMABAD: A high-level government meeting that was held soon after the marchers of Azadi March and Inqilab March advanced towards Parliament decided that prime minister Nawaz Sharif would not step down.

The meeting attended by Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Minister for Railways Khawaj Saad Rafique and other cabinet members however decided that government is ready to consider and accept their demands that fall within the parameters of Constitution. The meeting reportedly rejected the possibility of mid-term elections, making it clear that it would complete its five-year constitutional term.

The meeting also decided that the government would not confront the protestors.

Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif reportedly met the Prime Minister and discussed with him the prevailing political and security situation of the country. Sources say that the Minister for Railways informed the high-level meeting about the efforts made so far to bring the leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) to the negotiation table to end the dangerous conflict. They added the government would continue to make effort to seek political solution to the ongoing crisis through negotiations with both the parties. The Prime Minister is said to be keenly monitoring the situation.

There is no clear answer to the question whether the National Assembly would meet on Wednesday at 10.30am. The National Assembly is debating the prevailing political turmoil. The House has adopted a motion to suspend the agenda for allowing the members of the National to take part in the debate on the prevailing political situation in the country.