Islamabad- Federal Minister for Defence, Khawaja Asif has said Pakistan Army on top of being a champion of democracy was absolutely nonpolitical.
“We haven't had any problems with Pakistan’s armed forces since our coming to power last year. Forces have sworn to support the democracy in the country. I hope the army will stand by this democratically elected government in this testing time”, Asif said during an interview to a foreign news channel.
Calling it a mere propagandistic perception, Asif categorically rejected the protesting parties --Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT)-- had pressured the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government to a standstill.
"Business is as usual for the government. We are working like we were before this agitation movement was even conceived", said he playing down the massive anti-government protests/riots in the heart of federal capital.
To a question, he said that a cross-party negotiation team was set to approach opposition groups, in a bid to end a standoff that has seen three killed and hundreds injured in clashes between police and anti-government protesters.
“A negotiation team, drawn from various political parties, is attempting to restart negotiations, though it is not immediately clear whether Khan and Qadri would accept further talks”, Asif said.