ISLAMABAD: The political turmoil seems to be subsiding as Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Chief Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan have consented to the mediation offer by Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif.
The two leaders arrived at the Pakistan Army’s headquarters in Rawalpindi to brainstorm the options to defuse the abiding political standoff. According to sources, both the leaders have some combined demands:
* The present Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should be dissolved forthwith and an impartial commission is set up to probe the alleged rigging in 2013 general elections.
* The new ECP should function under the supervision of Pakistan Army.
* Nawaz Sharif may stay in power until the rigging probe is complete; an interim set up should be installed in case the rigging charges turn out to be true.
* In the interim dispensation, the new ECP will hold elections under the supervision of Pakistan Army.
* All stakeholders, not necessarily present in the Parliament, should be taken on board for the new elections.
* Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif should resign and governor rule be promulgated.
* New judicial commission is formed under Pakistan Army, to investigate and ascertain the responsibility for Model Town Carnage. The new judicial commission should operate beyond Nawaz Sharif’s clout.
It should be mentioned here that federal interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan joined the talks later.
