LAHORE/ KARACHI: The federal government has reportedly expressed its willingness to consider PTI chief Imran Khan’s most pressing demand – the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif – in a key development that may pave the way to end the current political stalemate.

According to sources, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leadership has considered veteran politician Khursheed Shah’s proposal that government should hold out some assurances to Imran Khan about Prime Minister’s resignation.

The government has been refusing to consider Khan’s key demand but sources said the ruling clique is now willing to hold dialogue with the chest-thumping PTI chairman on his foremost demand.

However, the government has reiterated that the matter of Nawaz Sharif’s resignation would be left to a government-formed judicial commission which is tasked with investigating alleged vote fraud. Sources told that country’s all-powerful military has signaled to play its role as a guarantor for any agreement that may be reached between the two sides.

In a latest move, Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif Friday rang up former president Asif Ali Zardari and invited him to a luncheon meeting in Islamabad.According to sources; Zardari has accepted Sharif’s invitation. Agencies