国际英语新闻:Pakistani army springs into action to end political impasse

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Two opposition leaders, whose thousands of supporters have staged sit-ins against the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Thursday disclosed that the army has offered mediation to end the ongoing political tensions in the country.

Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf leader Imran Khan and religious leader, Dr Tahir ul Qadri, told their supporters in Islamabad that the government has sought the army's help.

Both leaders announced they are ready to accept the offer and will wait until Friday as to what is suggested to address to their demands.

Khan and Qadri demand resignation of the Prime Minister and new elections. The government has rejected the demands.

Khan is campaigning for resignation of the Prime Minister as he claims he was elected through "rigged elections" last year. The gov't rejects Khan's claim and the Prime Minister has also promised judicial enquiry into the allegations.

"The Army Chief, General Raheel Sharif, has requested me to halt my plans for one more day," PTI Chairman, Imran Khan, revealed while speaking to his few thousands supporters late Thursday.

"We are ready and accept Army chief request to resolve the issues through negotiations," Khan said.

"On General Raheel Sharif's request, I am extending 24 hours to the gov't. "Its all in open now. The script is now all in open," Khan said. He said his party will stay on its demands, needs justice and real democracy in the country.

Religious scholar, Tahir ul Qadri, also said the government has sought the army's mediation in the current political crisis in the country.

"The army has sought 24 hours for mediation," Qadri told his thousands of supporters in Islamabad.

"The army has sent a message if we will accept the mediation," he disclosed, adding: "There will be a decisive action if we could not reach an agreement."

He claimed that the government is under pressure and has sought the army's role. He also thanked the army chief for offering mediation.

Qadri, is also leading a protest sit-in in Islamabad against the government and wants to bring out a "revolution." He had been demanding registration of murder cases against the Prime Minister and 20 other senior officials, including ministers and police officer, for the killing of his nearly 16 supporters in police firing in June.

The police on Thursday registered the cases, however, Qadri also rejected the registration of cases.