Political contacts have intensified through indirect contacts with Pakistan Tehrik Insaaf (PTI) and Pakistani Awami Tehrik (PAT) in order to avoid an imminent showdown. According to well informed sources Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad and Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar have held consultations between them while Railways Minister Saad Rafiq has made telephonic contact with MQM Chief Altaf Hussain.
The two Governors will hold talks with Dr Tahirul Qadri in Islamabad tomorrow (Monday) while Jamaat-i-Islami Amir Sirajul Haq and leader of the opposition Syed Khursheed Shah who met in Karachi on Sunday and exchanged views on the evolving situation, will meet PTI Chairman Imran Khan to persuade him to arrive at a middle ground.
The sources said if the negotiations succeed, Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri would announce the end of their marches on Tuesday.
On the other hand, Syed Khursheed Shah suggested to Amir Jamaat-i-Islami that the tenure of the national and provincial assemblies should be curtailed to four years so as to save democracy and in this way Imran Khan's demand would be met to a certain extent.
Khursheed Shah said it would be easy for the Prime Minister to accept this demand to which Sirajul Haq also agreed.
Sirajul Haq said on reaching Islamabad, he would meet the PTI leaders to have their opinion and also convey this matter to the Prime Minister.
The two leaders were of the opinion that Imran Khan should agree to the offer of Judicial commission by showing some flexibility in his demand to settle the issues.