ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said that PAT and PTI protesters, staging sit-ins at Constitutional Avenue for last over two months, will not be evicted forcefully.
The prime minister, in a high level meeting, was briefed on current situation and informed about the gradual depletion of anti-government sit-ins. He was also presented a comparison of the two sit-ins since their start in the shape of long march.
The meeting chaired by PM was attended by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Pervez Rashid and others. Nisar and Ahsan briefed prime minister about the current attendance at the sit-ins, sources privy to the meeting shared with TheNation. They told the meeting about the activities of participants of the sit-ins as well as their number with details of men, women and children separately.
Sources said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has not given a nod to use of force against the participants of the sit-ins of both Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek. It was consensus of the meeting that no strict action would be taken against them but police should keenly watch their activities to avoid any untoward situation.
Sources said the meeting also discussed overall political situation and upcoming public gatherings of the political parties including PPP, PTI and PAT. They also discussed the recent bye-election in NA-149 (Multan) which was won by PTI supported independent candidate Amir Dogar.
Sources said Finance Minister Ishaq Dar apprised the meeting of the details of his visit to the US, which would also be shared with the lawmakers in upcoming National Assembly session. The meeting also discussed PM’s upcoming visit to China. The press statement said that the regional and internal security and political matter were discussed in the meeting. The situation at LoC against the backdrop of unprovoked Indian firing also came under discussion, it said.