LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader and former premier Nawaz Sharif has yet again made the case for early elections on the same day younger brother and current premier, Shehbaz Sharif, chaired a meeting with allies in which it was decided that the government would complete its tenure.
If the International Monetary Fund doesn't soften conditions, it will not be wise for the current government to suffer because of the previous government's burden, said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif while virtually addressing a party meeting in Model Town, Lahore.
The diametrically opposed statements from the the two mainstays of the PML-N came a day after Imran Khan announced the date of his long march to Islamabad.
"Rana sahib, are you ready," Nawaz asked PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah, who is the current interior minister, in an apparent reference to dealing with PTI supporters who are expected to start converging on Islamabad.
"Only if Shehbaz sahib gives permission," was Sanaullah's reply.
Nawaz also emphasised the need to include allies in any key decisions while singling out PPP Co-President Asif Zardari.
Maryam Nawaz, who has previously called for early elections, supported her father's position and termed a new public mandate the only solution to the current political and economic crisis.
During the PML-N's consultative meeting, Nawaz called for quick resolution of the electoral reforms issue, including the right to vote for overseas Pakistanis as well as the use of electronic voting machines that was pushed through by the previous government.
Nawaz also called for immediate conslutation with the opposition leader in the National Assembly to appoint the NAB chairman.