As the talks between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and the government resumed courtesy the Opposition’s Political Jirga, both protesting parties have shifted their sit-ins back to D-Chowk.
The move comes in the wake of news that the Chinese President had postponed his trip to Pakistan owing to the uncertainty in Islamabad.
As their protests enter the 23rd day, leaders of both groups remain resolute in their demand for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
-Imran Khan alleged that Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch came to power through electoral fraud.
- Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has said the government and PTI’s negotiation committees will meet again on Monday
Read all our coverage of PTI’s Azadi March here and the Inqilab March here.
Updates of the Islamabad protests from September 6, 2014, can be found here.
September 8, 2:20am
There is not a shred of doubt that the recent developments in Islamabad have affected the country’s economic progress, causing direct and indirect, measurable and immeasurable losses.
The government has so far estimated overall losses to the economy at Rs547 billion. Out of the total, Rs228 billion have been estimated on account of 4.3% depreciation in the value of Pakistani rupee against the US dollar.
Read the full story here.
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September 8, 12:12am
PTI chief Imran Khan has cancelled his visit to flood affected areas of Wazirabad and Sialkot, Express News reports.
PTI chief will now visit the flood affected areas on Tuesday, says PTI leader Umar Dar.
Dar says the decision was taken due to party engagements.
Earlier Imran Khan had announced to visit the flood affected areas on Monday.
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September 7, 10:28pm
"We are in between meaningful talks and they are progressing, says PTI vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has said the government and PTI’s negotiation committees will meet again on Monday.
Everyone should wait till 2:30pm tomorrow for details, he adds
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September 7, 10:18pm
Neither Nawaz Sharif, Asif Zardari or Altaf Hussain can bring back money from the Swiss Banks, says Imran.
Only I can bring back the stolen money, says PTI chief.
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September 7, 9:59pm
PTI chief asks his supporters to help flood affected people during the day time, and attend sit-in at night.
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September 7, 9:55pm
Imran alleges that Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Malik Baloch has also come to power as a result of rigging.
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September 7, 9:40pm
PTI chief Imran Khan addressing sit-in protesters, Express News reports.
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September 7, 9:03pm
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement's deputy convener, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqi said that his party acknowledged PM Nawaz Sharif’s “right to rule”, our correspondent reports.
"If anyone has complaints, they have a right to protest but a few hundred people could not force the PM to resign,” he said while talking to media on Sunday.
The deputy convener indirectly criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf by saying that democracy meant to serve the people and not promoting the "umpire".
Siddiqi added that the federal and provincial governments in the country were not ‘friendly’ to the people.
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September 7, 7:40pm
Meanwhile, PTI chairman Imran Khan urges his supporters to reach Islamabad before 9:30pm today.
"I will address the nation again at 9:30pm," he says.
"The nation is now ready to confront oppressors," Imran adds.
Express News screengrab of PTI chairman Imran Khan addressing his supporters
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September 7, 7:35pm
Negotiations between PTI and the government have started once again, Express News reports.
The two teams are meeting at Jehangir Tareen's residence.
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September 7, 5:40pm
PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri, addressing his supporters, launches an emergency appeal to collect funds for flood victims.
“PAT is not only fighting a war for the rights of Muslims but also for minorities.”
Express News screengrab of PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri
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September 7, 5:20pm
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has asked the nation to take notice of those staging sit-ins and creating hurdles in the path of national progress and prosperity.
“It is your duty and the duty of the nation to take notice of elements which cannot tolerate the nation’s progress,” PM Nawaz says, adding, “The nation should not allow anyone to stage sit-ins.”
During his visit to flood affected areas of Sialkot, the prime minister said the Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit was significant for the progress of the country.
“The Chinese President was bringing with him a mega package of prosperity for the people of Pakistan, including projects to end energy crisis within next three to four years and construction of highways and motorways,” says the premier, regretting the postponement in his visit.
However, he resolves that the government will do whatever possible for the nation's progress and prosperity.
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September 7, 4:35pm
Railways Minister Saad Rafique says protesting parties should join the government in relief efforts for those affected by floods.
The railways minister urges K-P CM Pervaiz Khattak to attend to flood victims in his area.
“We will not say that they lost if they wrap-up their sit-ins to help flood victims,” he says, while talking to media representatives.
Rafique adds that the government is trying to negotiate with PTI and PAT.
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September 7, 3:05pm
Talking to media representatives in Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak says PTI chairperson Imran Khan still firmly stands by his demands.
“Imran’s first demand has always been the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif,” Khattak says, warning that the sit-ins will continue till PTI’s demands are met.
“We want a transparent investigation into rigging allegations,” he adds.
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September 7, 12:05am
JI chief Sirajul Haq, after a meeting with former President Asif Ali Zardari, expressed dismay over the current political impasse, saying neither the government nor PTI was willing to display any flexibility.
He said that the protesting parties have presented their demands, and the government has given its response on it, but so far there was no tangible result.
"This is the last stage, and we do not want a deadlock to happen which would leave this matter unresolved. We want everyone to be accommodated."
Haq says they have listened to the demands of PAT and PTI on the resignations of Punjab chief minister and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and have proposed a third alternative that can accommodate everyone.
We don't want democracy to be derailed, nor do we want the long marchers to go home empty handed, says Haq.
He added that the political leadership is trying to resolve the crisis, however, as things stand, they are heading towards disappointment.
Regarding a conspiracy theory of national government in Pakistan, he said if it happens then his party would consider joining it, but only if the people asked them to.
September 6, 11:55pm
Imran Khan asks his supporters to reach D-Chowk at 5pm on Sunday. Reiterates demand for Nawaz Sharif to resign.
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September 6, 10:38pm
24 days of Azadi March/dharna and crowds growing stronger. Passion 4 Insaf also increasing. pic.twitter.com/MNBJYawjrJ
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) September 6, 2014
COMMENTS (72)
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@PTI Workers United: Excellent post. I love your sarcasm.
The longest running joke is still on!
@Ovais Zahid: Dear Ovais Bhai. We agree. When our umpire raises his finger and we come into power we will change the constitution so the Hudood Oranance passed by TuQ (our bhai bhai) is changed and Imran is not tried for his affair with Sita White out of wedlock. We will not let you pay tax to us either so you can be very happy. We ask you to come to our Dharna so we have a few more in number as we are tired of paying for people to fill in the stadium and our no tax policy is difficult to sustain. We will also refuse the Chinese development loans of 33 billion and pay for KANUPP 2 & 3 and Chashma 3&4 our selves. we will also make the Thar desert green and pay for coal development there. We are PTI. We can do it all just like we can do cricket
Is there any party besides PTI which is not elected on rigged votes according to Imran Khan?
I hope his father was elected to be his father after a fair & transparent election process, there is nobody left whose electoral success is not disputed by Captain Planet
Looks like it is victory for democracy. Unfortunately majority of Pakistanis are not happy with the behind the scene role of elements of Pak Army . Now civilian Govt. has an oppertunity to take full control of Foreign Policy & strategic decision making.
The Army can dismiss the Government and/or disperse those that are doing sit-ins. The Army is neither taking over nor is it clearing the dharnis. It should do one of these, as continuation of the present stalemate is causing tremendous national loss. If the Army does not take either step, then it should accept responsibility for national disasters that are presently taking place.
Nawaz Sharif should never resign. I voted for him alongwith all my class fellows. I shall not allow Nawaz Sharif to insult my vote.
Nawaz Sharif Zindabad. Pakistan Paidabad.
Imran is always busy in abusing and blaming others but he has has no evidence. There is only one angel in Pakistan and that is Imran Khan. Shame for him.
How come he received this information fifteen months after the election that CM of Baluchistan was elected thru rigged election. Was he (mr IK) sleeping in the mean time? When the news come late, it is no news.
@JB: IK promised naya KPK in 90 days.One year has many 90 days (i think). IK criticizes Punjab Govt , just how many foreign businesses has he brought in KPK ? Has he stopped the illegal smuggling ? As for Metro bus project why is IK planning that for KPK if it is such a waste of money and time.Maybe he should spend that in Drainage System. You did not answer why is KPK CM in Islamabd instead of KPK(after all that is his job and the reason he is given free facilties.) Metro Bus service runs for the whole year and the floods come only for 10-15 days so... The first five years were spent under Zardari , they have had only one uninterrupted year so...
Yes, N'S is right. It is his birth right to do long marches and dharnas for his gains only. No one else is allowed to speak up for the country. People can't even protest rigging Or police brutality. Hypocrisy at its peak......
(LIVE) Islamabad protests: Nation should not allow anyone to stage sit-ins, says PM.
Which Nation are you addressing Mr PM. According to your speeches made earlier speaking to Indian audience in the crowd you told them you were one nation and this "line" (international border) means nothing. So in your theory Mr Jinnah and Allama Iqbal were all wrong!!! You forgot perhaps that the Nation this side of border disagrees with you.
I think enough is enough and the nation is facing many serious issues and problems, all the media should stop coverage of PTI and PAT and focus on the real matters concerning us and the world, at this time.
Why NS you are afraid of transparency and accountability?
The PM of Pakistan wears ties with a X-mas trees with fairy lights print. His sense of fashion is even worse than the competence of his government. A picture is indeed worth a thousand words!
@Liaqat Ali You can make all the differences you want regarding technicalities. The point of the matter is that the Chinese were going to forward a loan at 7% interest. This is because the IMF and World Bank are not going to give any more loans to the country (although which is at a lower rate of 4-5%). You have to look at the bigger picture here. You proceed to criticize PTI over its performance over just the one year. And that too over natural disasters? HOwever you are quiet when it comes to the inefficiencies of the Punjab government over the SAME natural disasters. And you tend to forget that the Sharif bros. have been in power for the last 6 years. I ask you again...would you have preferred the metro and that huge fly over in lahore over a better drainage system or reduction of power crisis? You keep on saying that you are done with PTI; yet your excuses for being so is limited to so called incompetency in KPK? Just go through the promises PMLN made in their election campaign and how they explicitly turned against them. I am surprised that you are ready to defend someone who has been accused of murder. By the way, please be informed that the FIR still has not been lodged against them. Remember, the accusation is that of MURDER; not petty theft; not sit ins.
I don't have any reservation on comments by naunahals but I complaint to media who was fully pursuing non political forces agenda....media should think that political system cannot be changed only with support of some major or colonel or couple of Genrals.... whoever used media, IK was wrong and media shown yellow journalism which casted country billion of rupees loss. For God sake be mature and let the system continue, automatically it will clean the dirt in political system. now govt cannot be changed by such plots.... media is exposed badly
Go Nawaz Go!!! and this time not out of Pakistan but in Jail.
PMNS says "sit in creating hurdles in the path of national progress and prosperity".. What sort of national progress and prosperity we were heading to Mr. Prime Minister? What sort of democracy are you promoting in Pakistan which will not allow to stage sit ins? Should we call it "Demo-Crazy"?
@Alter Ego I am surprised you bring KPK's inefficiencies due to floods but forget Punjab. PTI has been in power in KPK for just a year. Are you trying to compare Punjab govts SIX YEAR CONSECUTIVE RULE with one year? Seriously? How ignorant can you get? Are you going to disagree that the billions spent on a metro bus and bridge could have been put to much better use with a drainage system? And I hope that you realise the loss of life was greater in Punjab that past few days.
@JB: I appreciate your suggestion and I did read it. Now my suggestion is for you to make differrence between a formal announcement of dates and ongoing working around tentative dates. The plan was to club visit with India by mid Sep. and that is the reason the advance chinese secuirty team visited Pakistan for assessment . They submitted their evaluation to Chinese govt that security situation is not satisfactory due to ongoing polictal protests right at the heart of the capital. They did not accept alternate suggestion of Pak. govt. If that was not the case and there was no visit plan at all then why didnt IK got that answer from Chinese embassy when he called them to assure of PTI cooperation. Was he lying when he made that claim. I dont think so. Your take?
BTW I was voter of PTI in Lahore where actually they won(no rigging there) but I am done with them now.
New Pakistan is equal to Pakistan minus Imran khan
IK promised CHANGE and he did it yet again just in a matter of 24 days: - Made MNAs attend joint sessions - Made PMNS give due respect to parliamnent. He hasn't been to parliament so many times during last 15 months as he has gone in the last 24 days. - Engaging Pak Youth, educated middle class to Pak politics - Election and accountability reforms bound to be introduced
Thanyou IK for all your contribution to Pakistan. You are a true Leader that Pak cannot afford to lose.
Surprising to see some people here supporting PMNS I request them to please enlighten me with what exactly PMNS has done for our beloved country that I should support him. What is democracy? Under current govt can we say that this is the true democracy? What has PMLN achieved for Pakistan during last 16 months of government? Is it justified for a state to do terrorism against its own citizens. How can anyone support PMLN on massacre of 14 people in Model Town? Shouldn't atleast CM Shahbaz Sharif immediately resigned on Model Town incident? During last 30 years of PMLN Punjab rule, have they been able to counter devistation caused by flood? Have they been successful in reducing load shedding, inflation? Have they reduced Pak's debt burden or to the contrary increased it significantly? Have they made any reforms to any state institution be it PCB, HEC, civil servants, ECP, PIA, Railway, Steel Mill etc.? Any positive initiative for education or to increase literacy rate?
Imran and Qadri will not end their sit-in as long as they are not directed by their mentor Establishment.
Why did PTI welcome all politicians who wanted to join PTI before May 2013 elections? Where was vision, ideology and merit of PTI? PTI only needed electables and all were welcomed. What is this? It means that Imran did not have confidence in himself and his team. I also joined PTI but later on I left this party. What objectives can Imran achieve with gathering traditional politicians in his party? All of us know the faces who served in Musharraf Cabinet and Zardari Cabinet. Today they are part of PTI.
Imran Khan still stands by his demands, says Pervaiz Khattak. Shame for you and your leader Imran Khan. When shall we get rid of you people.
Pakistan is facing three enemies at once: - Imran Khan - Tahir ul Qadri - Taliban
PTI is a party supported by illiterate and uneducated people. No learned man can vote for PTI.
All economic indicators in the country were improving in Pakistan before start of illegal and fake Long March. I appreciate the performance of present federal government during last one year. If this government continues for 5 years, it will be very good for Pakistan and democracy. Imran and Qadri are the biggest hurdles in the country's way to progress.
Why Imran is doing character assassination of Nawaz Sharif? Why does he abuse Nawaz Sharif during his speeches? These elections were not conducted by Nawaz Sharif. PML-n contested elections like other parties. Elections were conducted by independent Election Commission. There was independent judiciary in the country at that time. Impartial caretaker government was there in the country.
I am disappointed from the role of media. IK want to destroy the economy through his call for civil disobedience. But Media is giving coverage to this man and his dirty politics.
I appreciate the patience of Nawaz Sharif who has never used dirty language against Imran Khan. Respect for Nawaz Sharif has increased in my heart. On the other Imran Khan is continuously using nonsense language. He should learn the ethics of communication.
IK and Qadri should be sent behind bars. Their every move is for the destruction of Pakistan. These anti-state elements should be thrown out of Pakistan.
Imran's speech starts with blames on Nawaz Sharif and ends at blames on Nawaz Sharif. Nothing new. He is doing so since many years as directed to him by Establishment.
Why did IK break his promise about not entering red zone? Why did IK welcome Sheikh Rasheed when he criticized him heavily? Why did IK lie about his daughter ? Why is Shah Mehmood Qiuireshi meeting Musharaff ? Why did IK soften his stance regarding MQM? Why did IK lie about the numbers in Lalak Chowk? Why did IK submit letter of apology to ex CJ when he criticized him heavily.? Where don’t IK children live in Pakistan ?
It is a reality that "Tabdeeli Aa Gayee Hai". I think this change was promised by Imran Khan. He has pushed entire Pakistan in the violence. His anti-state agenda will never be fulfilled. Imran Khan and his mentors will disappoint.
@liaqat ali Please read and then come up with excuses for pmln. http://tribune.com.pk/story/759042/president-xi-jingpings-visit-china-says-it-gave-no-information-to-pakistan/
Last card of the establishment the JI is on the table. Minimum demands will surface now in this third contingency plan. The world smells well as to what is cooking. Take some and give some being talked is simple ... remain Pm.... institute some inquiries for poll rigging and hands off from foreign policy and defense expenses.
@junoon: Your people seem to be wise. imran and quadri are fake.
@JB: What about the deaths and flooding and lack of hospital room and staff in KPK during the rains. If Pervaiz Khattak had been there then it would not have happened, instead of wasting ours (tax payers) money in useless long marches and dharnas , he should see to his province.
How shamefully for the parliament and parliamentarians Nawaz Sharif's and Shehbaz Sharif's presence has been important,precious and valuable than billions of Rupees' Pakistan's economy's loss!!!!!!If by the only Sharif brothers' resignations country's economy can be saved and secured from losses and current political crisis can be resolved easily then what is wrongful in Sharif brothers' resignations where next PM and CM also will be from PML-N due to PML-N's vast majority in NA and Punjab Assembly????
Country is cornered by Enemies & N-league is targeting Army in the Assembly with the help of PPP & opportunists.
@Dr. Faiza: you cannot be a real Dr. Your parents have wasted money on your education if you are one. Then you have a serious vision problem. See a specialist or may be a Neurologist.
After putting NS and his govt in pressure cooker it would have been great if Qadri and IK would have demanded to uplift the plight of common people. Like approval of free education, healthcare, job assistance, price control, public welfare and elimination of terrorism the whole country would have stood up with them not just a couple of cities. What did masses get by the restoration of CJ in the past? What would the masses of Pakistan gain by the resignation of Sharif Brothers? Would the education and healthcare become free and available? Or has that is happening in KPK as yet?
@QAISAR:
Only if you knew what the facts were. As IK mentioned that Perveez Khattak does his work in the KPK in the mornings and then joins the dharna in the evenings.. IK and his team know how to serve people of Pakistan !!
IK had a golden chance to make KPK a haven for common men not just for the terrorists. Alas his party has not fought as hard against poverty, ignorance, diseases, for public welfare, mandatory education, jobs, and other social evils. Make KPK a model province and people would vote for you. Take KPK govt to Punjab and pitch it against Punjab and Fed govt and ignore the only state you had won is not smart.
How ignorant can PMLN lovers get? The Chinese government has declared itself that there were no plans to come to Pakistan. Yet you continue to defend the lies of PMLN. Flooding in Punjab. Had the money spent on unnecessary bridges and the beloved metro were spent on drainage system the last 5 years, we would not have had that problem. Shame on you for defending the blatant lies of PMLN. Shame on you who are willing to live the life of slavery under the two families. Shame on you for ignoring the 14 murders in Model Town. Shame shame shame!
@riz: 'Going unhurt'?
@Ali: Ro Imran Ro
I live here in Lahore and I voted for PTI last elections but many friends and family of members of mine voted for NS. Every time I tried convincing them to vote for IK or PTI their answer would be the same 'No we don't want a non-Punjabi ruling this country' or 'We have always voted for N League why should we stop now'? It really causes me great pain to see this happening in my country. Why can't we get along with each other? Where does it say that people from so and so ethnic backgrounds can't run the country or that you have to remain loyal to one Political party for the rest of your life? I see so much hate on Facebook and other social media platforms that sometimes I wonder where are we going to be in a few years? That is the main reason why I support Imran Khan, I don't want to live in a country plunged into civil war because a few people couldn't think beyond language and ethnicity. The world has entered the 21st century and we are still stuck in the 19th. Face it guys hate mongering will get you nowhere.
Allah bless Pakistan. Allah bless PML-N. Allah bless Nawaz Sharif.
Imran's politics is only protesting, blaming, abusing and accusing others. I have never seen him doing anything constructive. His every move is for the destruction of Pakistan and democracy. He is busy in doing conspiracies against democracy with the help of Establishment.
Nawaz Sharif Zindabad.
The demands of unconstitutional long march are quite unconstitutional. Country is in the state of war against terrorists. Floods are there in the country, There are bad effects on the economy due to this long march. Despite all, both Imran & Qadri are continuing their long march. What a shame for them.
GO IMRAN GO.
Pakistan is bearing loss of billions on daily basis due to these fake and illegal long marches. Will Imran Khan and Tahir ul Qadri pay the damages to the country?
After achieving the objective of cancellation of visit of Chinese President, both puppets of Establishment are back to D Chowk. Shame for them.
What is Pervez Khattak doing in Islamabad since last 24 days? Why does he not care about KPK. He is the CM of KPK but he is quite unaware about his official duties. His performance is the worst as compared to CM of other provinces.
Long Marches have badly failed. Only problem is the ego of Imran and Qadri. I suggest both these leaders to leave this dirty politics and think for the country.
Go Imran Go. Go Qadri Go.
@riz: Floods caused by 30 years of incompetency by PMLN in building proper infrastructure.
there is no flood. its all media hype. somone is behind this conspiracy.
Flooding is because the corrupt ruling class have built dams and reservoirs , when flooding happens the elite don't suffer , only the lower and middle classes suffer. This dharna is to change the fate of country so a real and progressive government can come into place.
Country is suffering from flood but fake azadi march going unhurt.
Why is the Jirga obfuscating? Why can't they give a judgment/decision/resolution and put it before the nation to consider?
GO Nawaz GO.