No intention to launch crackdown on sit-ins: Khawaja Asif

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Defence Water and Power Khawaja Asif Thursday said the government has no intention to launch crackdown on participants of the sit-ins, being staged by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) in red zone of the Federal Capital.

“I say with complete authority that the federal government does not want any crackdown on them,” he said.

He brushed aside the impression of any police operation against PAT and PTI workers, terming it totally wrong.

He said there was opportunity to stop the marchers in Lahore with force but the government did not opt for operation and now when negotiating teams were holding talks with the both parties how the government could take this step.

Asif said the dialogue process was in progress and the government wanted to resolve political issues through dialogue and negotiation.

He urged PAT and PTI to have faith in the sincere efforts of government to defuse tension at this stage.

About change of Inspector General of Islamabad Police, the Minister said it was a purely administrative matter and Interior Ministry has the authority in this regard.

Asif said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif would not step down, adding that all state institutions including army have assured protection and supremacy of the constitution and the parliament.(APP/Geo)