Islamabad, Aug 27 (IANS): Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Wednesday said it was the need of the hour to shun negative politics and use energy for the country's progress, and anyone hindering development will be held accountable.

Sharif is facing pressure to step down from protesting Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) party of Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) of Tahir-ul-Qadri.

Speaking in the National Assembly, where he vowed to uphold the Constitution and parliament's supremacy, Sharif said the journey of progress will continue and we will complete all ongoing mega development projects, Geo News reported.

He thanked the treasury and opposition benches for extending support to him through a resolution favouring continuation of democracy and upholding the Constitution.

The prime minister said parliament was representative of the country's 200 million people and the majority was supporting democracy which was unprecedented.

He mentioned all segments of society particularly civil society, traders, lawyers, media, intellectuals, and minorities for supporting the democratic system.

The protests have been launched by PTI and PAT since Aug 15 over the issue of the resignation of prime minister whom they accuse of rigging the 2013 general elections.

Meanwhile, protesters continued their sit-in on the Constitution Avenue demanding Sharif's resignation Wednesday and several protesters were digging up their graves.

Protestors were digging graves on greenbelt of D-Chowk and also displayed burial shrouds, few hours before Qadri’s deadline to the government ended at 6.00 p.m.

On Monday, Qadri showed protestors a white burial shroud in a speech issuing the deadline for the prime minister who has refused to step down.