LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said some elements through an “attack on Islamabad” tried to humiliate the democratically elected parliament, but unity of all political forces made them face shame and disgrace.

Shahbaz said he was sure that after Javed Hashmi several leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf would display the same moral courage so they were not counted among enemies of Pakistan and democracy.

A press release quoted the chief minister as telling a delegation of PML-N members of the Punjab Assembly here on Wednesday.

The chief minister claimed Imran Khan through collusion with Dr Tahirul Qadri had announced the “political death” of his party. The PTI leadership was disturbed at Imran’s “autocratic” and “undemocratic” attitude and quitting the party, he added.

He said the determination expressed by all political parties during the joint session of parliament to protect democracy and the Constitution was the voice of the whole nation.

“The political maturity shown by the political forces at this critical juncture augurs well for the stability of the democratic system,” he was quoted as saying.

Shahbaz said the elements trying to damage democratic institutions should know if the country faced instability, Imran and Qadri would be held responsible.

He said from the ‘long march’ to sit-in, the government had shown patience and restraint at every stage and vowed to continue in the future as well.

Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2014