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Political Turmoil in Pakistan

Opposition, govt close ranks over threats

Agencies
Pakistan's politicians closed ranks amid threats from a popular cleric and country's top judge to uphold constitution and the hard-fought democratic system, local media reported yesterday.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Tuesday held telephonic contact with oppositions and discussed with them the current political situation.
During his conversation the leaders noted that democracy has been achieved in the country after rendering great sacrifices and struggle by the people of Pakistan, and it would be defended at all costs. Any attempt to subvert the Constitution, derail the democratic dispensation or adopt unconstitutional steps should be dealt with firmly, they all said with one voice.
However, the opposition yesterday demanded an immediate time-
table for polls, but dealt a blow to a massive anti-government protest by refusing to endorse their four-day demonstration.
Speaking on the occasion, PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif said those creating hurdles in way of people's mandate will be stopped.
At least 25,000 people are estimated to be taking place in the largest rally in the capital since the current government took office in 2008 and leader Tahir-ul Qadri yesterday urged mainstream politicians to support his cause.
But the leader of Pakistan's opposition, Nawaz Sharif, announced after consultations with main opposition parties that they would not be joining Qadri in a move that appeared to isolate the populist Canadian-Pakistani cleric.
Qadri wants parliament dissolved now and a caretaker government set up in consultation with the military
and judiciary to implement key reforms such as setting up a new election commission and banning corrupt candidates.
Qadri's protest rally has threatened to destabilise the nucleararmed country as it inches towards what would be the first democratic transition of power between two civilian governments at elections due by May this year.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ordered the arrest of the prime minister, sparking panic among some observers about a judiciarymilitary plot using Qadri as a frontman to disrupt the democratic process.
Pakistan PM Ashraf later issued a statement welcoming the opposition parties' position. Commentators say there is no imminent sign that he will be arrested and that he can remain in office until and unless he is convicted.