ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif Friday discussed the political situation in the country in the backdrop of Tehreek Minhajul Quran long march call and expressed the hope that people would not allow any attempt to derail the democratic process.The prime minister telephoned the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief as well as Awami National Party (ANP) President Asfandyar Wali Khan Friday afternoon and they talked about handling the issue of Islamabad march announced by Dr Tahirul Qadri and other issues.The prime minister reiterated his government's commitment to hold elections on time and sought the support of PML-N chief in this connection, who according to sources was forthcoming and assured the Premier of all possible help in holding of free, fair and transparent elections.They both agreed that democracy was the way forward. Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan had lived with the horrors of so-called slogans of revolutions and long marches. He said that the best way to ascertain the people's wishes was through ballot.The prime minister said that restoration of democracy owed itself to arduous struggle of political forces in the country. He said that the system needed continuity to evolve. He said that it was sign of political maturity that all political forces were on the same page as for as need for continuity of democratic system was concerned.Sources aware of the conversation said that the PM and the PML-N President agreed to form a six-member committee comprising both the parties to decide on election date and the formation of the caretaker government.A formal announcement about the committee would be made next week but the expected members of this committee from PML-N side are Senator Ishaq Dar, Raja Muhammad Zafarul Haq and Sardar Mehtab Khan Abbasi. While from the government side Syed Khursheed Shah, Mian Raza Rabbani and Farooq H Naek would likely be part of it.In his conversation with ANP President Asfandyar Wali Khan, Prime Minister Raja said, “Our goal is to establish sustainable democracy in the country.” Reiterating his support for the present coalition government, Asfandyar said that any attempt to create hurdles in the democratic process was unacceptable. Responding to ANP leader’s remarks, the PM said that the government considered elections as a national trust and was committed to holding them as per law.Earlier in the day, the prime minister held a meeting with Pakhtunkhawa Milli Awami Party President Mahmood Khan Achakzai, who called on him along with former Senator Akram Shah and discussed overall political situation in the country.Achakzai said that the people of Pakistan had struggled long and hard to establish democracy in the country. He warned those trying to derail democratic process that they should not treat democracy as a hoax and if any attempt was made to harm it, all political forces would join hands to resist it and turn the entire country into Tahrir Square. Achakzai urged the prime minister to take necessary measures for holding fair elections on time. The prime minister assured Achakzai of meeting his constitutional responsibility with honesty.Meanwhile, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Deputy Prime Minister and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, President of PML-Q, met Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Friday evening at the PM House and discussed political situation currently prevailing in the country.The leaders of PML-Q assured the Prime Minister of their support to the PPP-led coalition government and conveyed their firm commitment to strengthen democracy in the country.Talking to the PML-Q leaders, Raja Pervaiz said that consensus among political forces is vital for continuity of democratic process.The Prime Minister said that the country was looking forward to general elections and the government would ensure that they were fair, free and transparent.