PM holds out olive branch to PTI chief

MURREE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday asked Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan to convey to Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan that the government was ready to accept his demands in accordance with the Constitution. Seemingly awed by Imran Khan’s Azadi March on August 14, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif convened a meeting of his close aides to discuss options to deal with the situation. Sources privy to the meeting said Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan briefed the prime minister about his recent contacts with the PTI chairman. Besides the interior minister, the meeting was attended by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab Abbasi, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafiq and Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar. The sources said the meeting also discussed other political issues, alluding to the threat of holding a march by Pakistan Awami Tehrik Chairman Tahirul Qadri. The sources said the prime minister sought proposals from the cabinet members on how to handle the situation. The Punjab chief minister and the interior minister have been in Murree for the last two days in connection with Eid celebrations. Earlier, the chief minister hosted a dinner for the prime minister at Shangla. Published in Dawn, Aug 3rd, 2014