TAXILA: Senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Chaudhry Nisar has said that the Pakistan Army and state institutions are equally responsible to end the culture of sit-ins from the country forever.
Talking to media persons here on Saturday, he said that it was need of the hour to put an end to this trend, and warned that mob would rule the country otherwise.
Formerly the interior minister, Nisar said that no one should be allowed to hold prolonged protests to get their demands fulfilled, no matter how genuine they are, and added that legal path should be adopted instead. “I am not against protests. Protests should be held, as they are part of democracy. However, protests, which affect daily life should not be held.”
“No one should have been allowed to occupy Faizabad Interchange,” he said while referring to the volatile situation that had erupted after a botched government operation to disperse Faizabad protesters, that had crippled life in twin cities in particular, and the rest of the country in general.
“I don’t engage in politics of violence nor will I ever,” said Nisar, adding: “As politicians, we are agents of peace.”
When asked if the government would be able to complete its tenure, he said: “You should ask the government as I am not in the government anymore.”
“I am still steadfast in my stance. I believe we should not target the entire judiciary. Moreover, the army should also not be targeted,” said the PML-N central leader when asked if he maintains his stance on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s “criticism” of the Panama Papers case verdict, which had led to the disqualification of the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
“I had advised Nawaz during the last meeting that criticism of armed forces would cause significant damage to the party during the next general election.” He, however, refused to comment on the statement issued by Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed. “He changes his loyalty every minute please stop giving importance to such people,” he told journalists.
Published in Daily Times, December 10th 2017.
