Imran Khan, Qadri meet army chief

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Dr Tahirul Qadri met Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif amid growing political crisis that prompted the Nawaz government to seek army's help on Thursday.

Sources said that Director General Inter-Services Intelligence Lt. Gen Zaheerul Islam and Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan were also present during the meeting.

The meeting between the army chief and PTI chairman lasted for 50 minutes in which prevailing political situation was discussed.



Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Dr Tahiurl’s meeting with Army chief started after Imran Khan left for D-Chowk.


Earlier in their speeches before the meeting, Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), Allama Tahirul Qadri said they have accepted the role of Chief of Army Staff as a mediator and guarantor in the current political impasse.

Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri told the participants of their separate sit-ins here outside the Parliament House that in the next 24 hours fresh negotiations will begin with the government in the presence of Pak Army as intermediary.

The above developments took place after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif asked the latter to play his positive role in the current political situation of the country.

In his speech, Tahirul Qadri said the ‘government had to knock the door as a beggar’ for seeking the help of Pak Army while Imran Khan said to his supporters: “We would either celebrate tomorrow or give the call that was to be given today.”

Imran Khan said he was putting off his planned course of action for the next 24 hours, as the Army Chief asked him to do so.

Tahirul Qadri told the protesters that he had been assured that all would be sent packing in case the rigging charges proved right.

He also held a motion by raise of hands whether or not the Pak Army be made a guarantor. He said the protestors will have to stay here for another 24 hours, as the Army had sought that much time.

Later, TV footages showed PTI chief Imran Khan and PAT leader Tahirul Qadri leaving the sites of their sit-in for an undisclosed location to hold a meeting with the Army Chief General Raheel Sharif in Islamabad.