Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that the Parliament will take a decision regarding the elections as the forum had already took legal and constitutional steps to address the pervading challenges.
Addressing an important meeting of the leaders of coalition parties in Islamabad, the premier said that that it is overwhelming opinion of all the coalition parties in the government that doors of dialogue should not be closed and setting aside personal ego, talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) can be held in the larger interest of the country.
PM Shehbaz said negotiations with PTI can be held through Speaker National Assembly or the Parliamentary Committee to reach consensus over holding elections simultaneously on one day.
"Parliament is supreme to take decisions on all the matters," he said, adding that it was the government's political and moral obligation to accept the Parliament's decision.
PM Shehbaz said despite the Parliament’s decision not to accept the three-member bench, the Supreme Court (SC) wanted to move forward with the same bench. However, the coalition parties were unanimous that they would accept the 4-3 verdict of the apex court bench and not 2-3.
He said that the Supreme Court (SC) did "not have the power to act as an arbitrator" between the government and the PTI.
"The Supreme Court's job is not to act as a panchayat but to announce verdicts in accordance with the law and the Constitution."
He said the coalition parties were unanimous that the elections would be held in October or November after the incumbent government completed its term on August 13.
PM Shehbaz regretted that instead of suggesting the solutions, the PTI leadership tried to exploit the country's challenging situation and also asked its provincial finance ministers to turn down the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) conditions to impede the agreement.
"Even PTI agents maligned armed forces of Pakistan and its leadership through statements and tweets for their vested interests," he added.
PM Shehbaz said the coalition government took several steps to bring the country out of crises. However, the situation is still challenging.
He reiterated the resolve of his government to bring the country out of the prevailing multiple challenges and put it on path of development and prosperity.