Leader of Opposition in Senate Aitzaz Ahsan. Photo: File

KARACHI: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has nearly lost its authority in the Centre, while its prime minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, has no individual standing in the party, said Leader of Opposition in Senate Aitzaz Ahsan.

While speaking on Geo News' Capital Talk, the senator referred to the sit-in at Faizabad interchange and said decisions regarding dispersing the protesters were not taken at  Prime Minister House.

He added after talks were held a soldier was seen distributing envelopes to the protesters, ?a site no one had imagined would ever be seen?.

However, Aitzaz said, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif claimed to have solved the matter, even though his province was where the issue came from. According to the senator, the protesters came to the federal capital after holding talks with the Punjab government.

Nevertheless, he said, his party ? Pakistan Peoples Party ? was clear on their stance throughout the days. ?We were of the view that the entire matter be discussed in the Parliament.

About Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi using Article 245 of the Constitution, Aitzaz said it was the right of the federal government, which they used. But, he added, the army came on their own conditions.

As per Article 245, the armed forces, under directions of the federal government, shall defend Pakistan against threats and act in aid of civil power when called upon to do so.