Army, all institutions equally responsible to end sit-ins from country: Ch Nisar

F.P. Report

TAXILA: Senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and former interior minister, Chaudhry Nisar has said that Pakistan Army and all national institutions are equally responsible to end sit-ins forever from country so that it can move forward.

Talking to media persons in Taxila on Saturday, he said that it was need of the hour to end trend of sit-ins in country otherwise mobs would rule the country.

He said that no one would be allowed to hold continuous protest to get their demands fulfilled, no matter how genuine they are, but legal path should be adopted instead. Chuadhry Nisar said he humbly appeals if the country has to move forward, then protests must be stopped.

He further said, “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.” The former interior minister also spoke regarding the violence which erupted due to the protest ay Faizabad interchange and said that he maintains his stance that no one should be allowed to occupy Faizabad Interchange.

Countrywide sit-ins dissipate after government protesters reach agreement. Following the voluntary resignation of Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid, the government and Faizabad protesters reached an agreement to end the 21-day-long sit-in in Islamabad.

“I don’t engage in politics of violence, nor will I ever,” said Nisar. As politicians, we are agents of peace, he added. When asked if the government will be able to complete its tenure, he remarked: “You should ask the government this, I am not in the government anymore.”

Ch Nisar was also asked if he maintains his stance on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s criticism of the Panama verdict, which led to the disqualification of the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

“I am still steadfast in my stance. I believe we should not target the entire judiciary. Moreover, the army should also not be targeted,” he added. Nisar said that he had advised Nawaz during the last meeting he had to not target and criticize the armed forces as it would cause significant damage to PML-N during the next elections.

The former interior minister also refused to comment on a statement of Awami Muslim League (AML) Chief Sheikh Rasheed. This person changes his loyalty every minute, please stop giving importance to such people, he told the journalists.