Sharif calls off Pakistan ‘long march’ protest

PAKISTAN: Pakistan’s main opposition leader Nawaz Sharif on Monday said he had agreed to call off a mass protest march after the government decided to reinstate the deposed chief justice.

“We are now calling off this long march,” he said from inside his SUV, showered with pink rose petals and stranded in a sea of jubilant supporters in the central city of Gujranwala.

He said the decision had been taken following discussions with lawyers and leaders of allied political parties, such as cricket hero Imran Khan.

“Today the nation has received very happy news. We have said that we will restore the judges and the independent judiciary and by the grace of Allah we have achieved it,” he said.

“Very soon we will play our role in implementing real democracy in this country,” he added.

Gujrawala, Monday, AFP