Pakistan army urges political solution

Pakistan’s army has called for a political solution to the current standoff between Islamabad and opposition protesters.

“The situation should be resolved politically without wasting any time and without recourse to violent means,” the Pakistani military said in a statement, issued on Sunday.

But it also warned that if the crisis is not resolved politically, the army will have its own role to play in maintaining security.

“The army remains committed to playing its part in ensuring security of the state and will never fall short of meeting national aspirations,” the statement added.

Pakistan has been the scene of anti-government protests since August 14.

The opposition protests, led by former cricketer Imran Khan and cleric Muhammad Tahir ul-Qadri, accuse Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of corruption and rigging last year’s general elections.

The demonstrators have called for the premier’s resignation.

On Saturday night, thousands of protesters trying to storm Sharif’s residence in the capital, Islamabad, clashed with riot police. Three people were killed and hundreds injured in the incident.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani government said it is trying to re-open negotiations with opposition groups.

Information Minister Pervez Rashid said on Sunday that Islamabad remains open to restart talks with the opposition to end the crisis peacefully.

“The government did not initiate the (Saturday) clashes. They turned violent and tried to enter sensitive government buildings, which are the symbol of the state. They wanted their demands to be met at gunpoint, but still, our doors are open for talks,” Rashid said.

MSM/MAM/AS