Former interior minister and Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on Thursday that there was no other solution to the problems of the masses other than early elections, adding that the date for elections must be announced before August 30.

“People have become depressed during the tenure of the current government,” Rashid said while addressing a press conference in Lahore on Thursday.

He blamed the coalition government for inflation, saying that the situation of the masses has gotten worse.

He regretted that the country was heading towards anarchy and asked the Supreme Court to intervene and order fresh elections.

Rashid said that many cases were filed against him and others on which they might not even get bail, while accusing the government of engaging in political vendetta.

He said that the ‘imported’ government’s days were numbered. “The political situation will take another turn tomorrow. Even if the 14 parties of the PDM become 28, they will not be able to do anything,” he claimed.

Asif Ali Zardari created differences between Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif, Rashid claimed. He accused Zardari of involvement in the buying of “consciences” of the Punjab MPAs ahead of the crucial Punjab CM election.