The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) began talks with the government, separately, on Wednesday, in an attempt to break out of the current impasse.
Both Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri, however, remain adamant that the prime minister first resign.
The rallies led by the two party chiefs have set up camp outside Parliament House in the capital’s Red Zone area, where the army has been deployed.
The army, meanwhile, released a statement last Tuesday night, urging meaningful negotiations and vowing to protect State symbols.
Earlier, PAT, PTI protesters march into the Red Zone three days after their sit-ins began near Aabpara Chowk, read our coverage of march here.
For our coverage of the last two days’ sit-ins, visit here.
Read our coverage of PTI’s Azadi March and the Inqilab March here.
August 21, 11:54pm
Imran Khan urges Nawaz Sharif not to resign on Friday, since PTI wants to celebrate for two days.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 11:40pm
Imran Khan says they will celebrate their freedom after afternoon prayers on Friday.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 11:08pm
Imran Khan urges Indian premier Narendra Modi to stop supporting Nawaz Sharif. Imran says that Pakistan did not interfere in India's election so Modi should not interfere in Pakistan's affairs either.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 10:58pm
Imran Khan promises that he will either get freedom or he will lay down his life.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 10:48pm
I had a nightmare, abt the current scenario.This is nt favorable in Pakistan's interest. Hoping n praying fr betterment. Pakistan Zindabad
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) August 21, 2014
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 9:51pm
A helpline has been established in the deputy commissioner’s office at the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) control room to facilitate the general public, according to a press release issued by the Press Information Department. The number is: 051-9108084.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 9:44pm
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif says that the PM will not resign and there will not be a midterm election, Express News reports.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 9:39pm
“We had agreed to meet at nine for negotiations, however, only on the condition that if the government remove containers,” says Qadri.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 9:29pm
"We haven't closed the doors for talks, they are still open," says Dr Tahirul Qadri.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 9:05pm
Imran says that Qamar Zaman Kaira is only acceptable in the government's negotiation committee and not Khursheed Shah.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 9:03pm
"I won't leave the country without freeing it from Nawaz Sharif," says Imran.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 9:00pm
Imran Khan calls out to supporters in Karachi and tells them to gather at Teen Talwar tomorrow at 3pm for a sit-in.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 8:54pm
Imran Khan says that after dealing with Nawaz Sharif, he will personally come to Karachi and thank everyone for voting on May 11, 2013.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 8:54pm
"The talks did not succeed, not because we did not want them to, but because the government put containers up around here", says Imran Khan.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 8:40pm
"I will bring back the $200 billion that have been laundered out of the country," says PTI chief.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 8:40pm
"No western democracy would accept such elections. Are we, Pakistanis, children of a lesser god?" says Imran.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 8:39pm
“If you want Pakistan to be a friend of the US, we are willing, but please remember, a prime minister like Imran Khan can never be a stooge like Nawaz,” says Imran.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 8:37pm
“Richard, convey my message to the State Department. Firstly, they have no right to interfere in the politics of Pakistan,” says Imran.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 8:35pm
Addressing US Ambassador Olson, Imran asks if the US would consider an election in the US legitimate if every seat in Congress was rigged.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 8:32pm
PTI chief Imran Khan is addressing the crowd.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Express News screengrab of Imran Khan
August 21, 8:30pm
Former President Asif Ali Zardari has arrived in Karachi, Express News reports.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 8:27pm
JUI (F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman says that no parliamentary political party supports the protesting parties’ demands of dissolution of the Parliament and resignation of the Prime Minister, reports Radio Pakistan.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 8:20pm
Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid says that no political party supports the demand of resignation through long marches and pressure tactics, reports Radio Pakistan.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 8:15pm
Referring to Qadri's statements about 25,000 PAT workers under police custody, Khawaja Asif says that any person arrested under false charges will be released immediately once a list of such individuals is produced.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 8:12pm
Asif says that due to sit-ins and protests, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cancelled their visit to Islamabad, reports Radio Pakistan.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 7:55pm
Furthermore, Asif said that the government has no intention to launch crackdown on participants of the sit-ins, according to APP.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Express News screengrab of Defense Minister Khawaja Asif
August 21, 7:53pm
Khawaja Asif expresses hope that the negotiations will be revived.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 7:49pm
Khawaja Asif agrees that the situation should be resolved as soon as possible, since protests are negatively impacting the country's economy.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 7:42pm
Talking to Express News, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif says the government wants to avoid use of force against protesters.
"Not just the people watching the protests but the protesters themselves are getting tired of this situation."
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 7:34pm
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah says that PPP chairman Asif Ali Zardari will arrive in Karachi tonight to chair a party meeting in light of the current political situation, Express News reports.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 7:29pm
Express News screengrab of PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri addressing his supporters.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 7:28pm
Qadri says that the FIA investigated him for money laundering and a 100-page document was submitted to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stating that no evidence of such activities was found against him.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 7:22pm
"When I was an MNA I refused to use government funds for personal medical expenses," adds the PAT chief.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 7:21pm
Qadri says members of Parliament misuse tens of millions of rupees for personal medical expenses.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 7:20pm
Addressing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's earlier statements about 11 of 12 political parties supporting the government, PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri says most members of Parliament are corrupt and therefore support the current government.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 7:05pm
The government and opposition committee formed to negotiate with PAT will meet at 9pm, Express News reports.
MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi and Pakistan Muslim League-Zia (PML-Z) chief Ijazul Haq will also be present.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 6:35pm
Addressing the media, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq says that politics of reconciliation need to be pursued.
“We appreciated the beginning of dialogue last night,” Haq says, adding that there seems to be a deadlock right now and he hopes it passes.
“Both parties have to talk, because confrontation will need to nowhere,” says the JI chief.
Express News screengrab of JI chief Sirajul Haq addressing the media.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 6:32pm
During a meeting with senior journalists, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says that if the government accepts the demands of PTI and PAT the country will face numerous challenges, according to Express News anchors Shahzaib Khanzada and Javed Chaudhry.
“Out of 12 political parties in the Parliament, 11 are supporting the government,” says the premier.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and six other federal ministers were also present during the meeting.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 6:12pm
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Islamabad Inspector General Aftab Cheema was 'removed' from his post allegedly over his failure to use force against PTI, PAT supporters.
Read the full story here.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 5:40pm
MQM chief Altaf Hussain expresses concern over prevailing political situation and urges government, PTI and PAT to initiate a meaningful dialogue once again.
“A compensatory policy should be adopted,” the MQM chief says.
Further, Hussain requests the government to not use force against the protesters.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 5:10pm
"If any Gullu Butts attack us, then I will lead the march to the Prime Minister House," warns Imran.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 5:08pm
The PTI chief Imran Khan censures the US State Department for saying that the US does not support extra-constitutional changes in Pakistan and urges them to take back their statement.
“Why have you adopted a different policy for us,” he questions, claiming that the US would never accept election results in their own country if there had been rigging.
PTI chief Imran Khan. PHOTO: INP
Correction: In an earlier caption for the picture above, the man on the left was incorrectly identified as Imran Khan's lawyer Hamid Khan. The error is regretted.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 5:04pm
Meanwhile, addressing the media, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid says that Pakistan Army is fulfilling their responsibilities in a constitutional manner.
“Do not look at the army’s role in this situation as the world wants you to see it.”
Refuting rumours of a crackdown on PTI and PAT supporters, Rasheed says that the government has no such intentions.
Further, the information minister says that without the approval of Parliament it is difficult for the government to accept demands of the two parties.
“We were waiting for PTI’s delegation but they did not come for dialogue,” he adds.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 4:48pm
PTI chairman Imran Khan says that the US State Department statement on the current political crisis constitutes interference in Pakistan’s domestic affairs, Express News reports.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 4:35pm
PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat and PML-Q Punjab president Chaudhry Pervez Elahi met with the US and Chinese ambassadors at Shujaat's residence today, Express News reports.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 4:25pm
PAT central president Raheeq Abbasi and PAT leader Khurram Nawaz meet PTI chairman Imran Khan, Express News reports.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 4:10pm
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah says that PTI’s demand for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation should be the fifth or sixth demand and not the first, Express News reports.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 3:58pm
Refuting PTI and PAT allegations that the government intends to crackdown on their supporters, a government spokesperson has clarified that the government has no such plans.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 3:42pm
Imran Khan asks his supporters if they are ready to fight with him.
Express News screengrab of Imran Khan addressing his supporters at D Chowk Thursday afternoon.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 3:36pm
"I request the Supreme Court judges not to allow containers to be placed again," says the PTI chief.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 3:35pm
"We sent our team to negotiate with the government but our first demand is that Nawaz Sharif should resign," says Imran.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 3:29pm
"Shoot me first," PTI chief says addressing the new IG who has replaced Aftab Cheema.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 3:24pm
"Today, IG Islamabad was replaced because he did not want to crackdown on protesters," says Imran Khan.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 3:22pm
Addressing the crowd, PTI chief Imran Khan says that today is the day of their test, adding that he is not only addressing the protesters but the whole nation.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 2:59pm
PTI chief Imran Khan says that he is about to make a big announcement shortly, Express News reports.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 2:53pm
He claims that the water provided to his workers has been contaminated.
Further, Qadri claims that IG Cheema was removed from his post because he did not want to use force against the PAT workers.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 2:50pm
Further, the PAT chief alleges that one of his workers, Muhammad Arshad, was killed in Gujranwala today.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 2:44pm
Meanwhile, the PAT chief, while addressing his supporters speaks about how his supporters are deprived of food and water due to road blockades.
He adds that he will address them again at 5pm.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 2:41pm
Additionally, Qureshi says that PTI will not start their negotiation process with the government until additional containers that have been placed again are not removed, and until the crackdown on the party is not stopped.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 2:34pm
IG Islamabad Aftab Cheema has been removed from his position, says PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Express News reports.
Talking to Express News, Qureshi says that Islamabad has been sealed off once again.
Responding to a question regarding the removal of Cheema from his position, Qureshi says Cheema was asked to crackdown on PTI workers, and when he refused to do so he was removed from his post.
PTI has suspended dialogue process with the government, decision informed to Governor Punjab, says @SMQureshiPTI #AzadiSquare
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 21, 2014
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 2:20pm
Rafique adds that the entire nation is worried about the current situation, saying that even the stock market has collapsed.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 2:14pm
“Similarly, Tahirul Qadri should understand that by gathering a few thousand people he cannot overthrow an elected government,” he says.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 2:12pm
Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, while addressing the media says that Imran should reconsider his demands, because without the presence of a parliament, his demands cannot be accepted.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 1:34pm
PM Nawaz was present during the NA session but did not address the assembly.
The session has been adjourned until 11am tomorrow.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 1:22pm
Haq lauds the government for their patience in these trying times, and adds, “Thirty eight MNAs [of PTI] cannot make a decision about a house of 342 members.”
He says Imran wishes to become the prime minister, but he is using language that “we have perhaps not even used against our worst competitors”.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 1:21pm
Haq says, “What we have seen in the assembly these last few days, is that two parties are on one side, or maybe two-and-a half, and the rest of the parliamentarians are on the other side.”
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 1:17pm
“The army is staying up all night to protect us,” says Ijazul Haq, during ongoing NA session.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 1:06pm
Express News screengrab of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arriving in the NA, followed closely by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 1:01pm
NA unanimously adopts resolution presented by Leader of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party Mehmood Khan Achakzai, our correspondent Azam Khan reports from the NA session currently underway..
The resolution states that the prime minister must not resign, while condemning derogatory language used by PTI chief Imran and PAT chief Qadri.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 12:19pm
Pakistan Peoples Party’s central executive committee met in Dubai to discuss the sit-ins in the capital, Express News reports.
Some of the party members were of the view that the ongoing crisis was largely due to ruling party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and that the PML-N should work to improve the situation.
Read here for the full story.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 11:38am
The United States has said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was constitutionally elected, with the State Department also stating that Washington does not support any extra-constitutional changes to the democratic system.
Read more here.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 11:27am
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly meets with Federal Minister for Information Pervaiz Rashid, Express News reports.
Shah has also reportedly invited other senior leaders from the parliament, as well as prominent members of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) for the meeting in his chamber.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 10:38am
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has sought a written reply from PTI chief Imran Khan and has issued another notice to PAT chief Tahirul Qadri, Express News reports.
Further, the apex court has adjourned the hearing of the extra-constitutional steps until tomorrow.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 10:31am
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif meets with President Mamnoon Hussain at the President House in Islamabad to discuss the ongoing political crisis in the country. They discussed matters of mutual interest during the meeting.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 1:38am
Muzakarat ki pehli meeting mein hum ney apney mutalibat pesh kar diye. Hakoomat kal apna jawab dey gi.
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) August 20, 2014
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 1:36am
Hope sanity prevails soon-Govt needs 2take serious efforts in resolving d issues including Model town& d other side must also act reasonably
— Shazia Atta Marri (@ShaziaAttaMarri) August 20, 2014
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 1:26am
One ex-Musharraf Minister(Zahid Hamid), one imported Gov (Sarwar) part of PMLN negotiating team with PTI! Is this a bad joke?
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) August 20, 2014
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 1:26am
The talks were held in a cordial atmosphere, says governor Punjab.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 1:24am
Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal says handling the situation maturely would present a strong message to the world, adding that the next round of talks will take place on Thursday.
Iqbal adds that the round of talks has just started and hopes that they solve the current political crisis.
We want to find a win-win solution to this crisis, not just for the government or PTI but also for Pakistan, says minister.
All political parties want to solve this crisis via dialogue, Iqbal added.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 1:20am
Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar claims that back-channel talks between government and PTI were going on for a while.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 1:15am
Qureshi says the government will examine the PTI's demands and meet again on Thursday.
He rejects the notion that they agreed to talks following the ISPR's statement on Tuesday.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 1:14am
PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi says they have presented their six-point charter of demands to the government, Express News reported.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 1:12am
First round of talks between government and PTI's negotiation ends.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 1:08am
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 21, 1:03am
Tariq khan, an IT consultant, has come from Australia on a mission of cleaning Pakistan. He was present at the site of sit-in and spent several hours collecting garbage. PHOTO: QAMAR ZAMAN/EXPRESS
Tariq khan, an IT consultant, has come from Australia on a mission of cleaning Pakistan. He was present at the site of sit-in and spent several hours collecting garbage. PHOTO: QAMAR ZAMAN/EXPRESS
August 20, 11:58pm
According to sources, Islamabad Police has started collecting information about protesters, Express News reported.
Police may start arresting protesters if they do not disperse in next few days.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 11:48pm
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to address the parliament on Thursday.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 11:45pm
According to sources negotiations between government and PTI’s negotiation committee have started at a local hotel in Islamabad, Express News reported.
Government’s negotiation committee comprises of Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid, Minister for States and Frontier Regions Abdul Qadir Baloch and Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal.
Asad Umar, Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Jahangir Tareen and Arif Alvi are representing PTI.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 11:25pm
PML-Q leader Pervaiz Elahi says the on going political turmoil will end this week, with resignations of Nawaz, Shahbaz and registration of FIR against them.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 11:17pm
We can not give any time frame, but we wish that the matter is resolved as soon as possible, says Ijazul Haq, member government's ngotiation committee, Express News reported.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 11:10pm
If people of western countries are enjoying the fruits of democracy, why should Pakistanis be deprived of democracy, says PAT chief.
Real purpose of our march is the restoration of real democracy, says Qadri.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 11:05pm
A Jamaat-e-Islami’s negotiation team has reached PTI sit-in for talks, Radio Pakistan reported.
JI chief Sirajul Haq and secretary general Liaqat Baloch will hold talks with the PTI leadership.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 11:02pm
We believe in dialogue and reconciliation that is why we started the negotiation but their intentions are not good, says PAT chief.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 10:59pm
PAT chief Tahirul Qadri and PTI chairman Imran Khan addressing to their respective supporters simultaneously.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 10:58pm
I have accepted the resignations of all PTI MPAs from Sindh and Punjab, says Imran Khan.
I have already accepted the resignations of all PTI MNAs.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 10:46pm
I can stay on this container for a year, says PTI chief.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 10:44pm
I want to make the Pakistani nation one team, says Imran Khan.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 10:42pm
Imran Khan says that if he returns without the resignation of Nawaz Sharif, the public would have to become slaves.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 10:30pm
Refuting the government propaganda that Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) is against negotiations, PAT President Rahiq Abbasi said that they met the government’s negotiation committee and presented them our demands.
Now the government committee will take these demands to their superiors, says Abbasi.
We want justice for the Model Town martyrs, however, we do not have any hope that justice will be delivered as long Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz are in power, says PAT president.
Presenting PAT’s demands, Abbasi said, we want Nawaz and Shahbaz to resign and both federal and Punjab should also be dissolved.
After that FIR for the Model Town incident should be registered and due course of Law take place, said PAT president.
We want rule of law and continuation of democracy and now it is up to the rulers whether they want to save their government or state, says Abbasi.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 10:07pm
"Our committee has gone for talk," Imran says.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 10:05pm
As per PTI's investigation, Imran says there was a lot of rigging in Karachi and Sindh. He added that in Punjab there was rigging on at least 98 seats in five divisions.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 9:56pm
"This protest is not the final step. It is a battle of nerves," says Imran Khan, speaking with Express News.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 9:50pm
Shahbaz Sharif is directly responsible for Model Town killings, he can't be brought to punishment until Nawaz Sharif resigns. @ImranKhanPTI
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 20, 2014
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 9:40pm
Government committee meets with PAT’s committee to negotiate.
The government's team comprises Abdul Qadir Baloch, Ahsan Iqbal, Haider Abbas Rizvi and Ijazul Haq.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 9:38pm
Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has replaced Railways Minister Saad Rafique on the government’s negotiating committee with PAT.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 9:36pm
U can spend your whole life in the container but Nawaz Sharif will NOT resign.
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 20, 2014
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 9:33pm
Imran Khan calls for a boycott of Geo and Jang media groups. He says it is not because of journalists, but because of the group's owner.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 9:28pm
Pointing out that the rulers have blocked off Islamabad with containers, the PTI chief asks, "What are you afraid of. If you are representatives of the people, why are you afraid of the people. You are afraid because you stole the elections."
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 9:26pm
The PTI chief calls D-Chowk 'Azadi' Square, while referring to Tahrir Square.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 9:22pm
Imran says that they are ready to talk and have constituted their negotiation committee and the government should form its committee.
He adds, "But first, Nawaz Sharif should resign otherwise how will he be held accountable."
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 9:21pm
"All those responsible for rigging in last year's elections should be tried under Article 6 (treason) of the Constitution," says the PTI chief.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 9:20pm
Imran calls for the resignation of all election commissioners from last year's polls.
"A new election commission should be formed with consultations from all stakeholders."
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 9:18pm
"We want a neutral caretaker government," says Imran.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 9:14pm
Imran says his third demand is election reforms.
He adds that India has fair elections; whereas, on this side of the border, winner and the losers both allege rigging happened.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 9:12pm
The PTI chief says he would direct his government to hold re-elections in K-P, if the opposition had cried foul. "If this crowd had said "Go Imran Go", I would have left much sooner than you. I would have said, hold elections again."
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 9:08pm
"How can there be an inquiry into the May 2013 general elections when you are the prime minister," Imran questions.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 9:06pm
"Talks will be initiated but only once Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigns," says Imran.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 8:58pm
Imran says that Shah Mahmood Qureshi's house in Multan was attacked, pelted with stones by Billoo Butt.
"I've never met anyone as innocent, educated and straight-laced as Shah Mehmood Qureshi," Imran says.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 8:55pm
Welcoming the dialogue between the negotiation team formed by the government and PAT leaders, MQM chief Altaf Hussain says the dialogue will augur augur well for the continuation of the democratic process in the country.
Further, Hussain thanked Qadri for accepting the government’s offer for holding dialogue. He also thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his team for working towards resolving issues by dialogue instead of heading towards confrontation.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 8:54pm
Due to technical difficulties, Imran's speech has been deferred for a few moments.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 8:38pm
Express News screengrab of PTI chairman Imran Khan flanked by Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Javed Hashmi.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 8:28pm
Imran vows to stay in his container whether any of his supporters stay or leave.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 8:26pm
PTI chief Imran Khan addresses his supporters at D-Chowk as crowds chant "Go Nawaz Go."
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 8:20pm
Addressing the media, PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat says that they will nominate a group to conduct negotiations with the government.
Further, Shujaat says that the negotiating team included Khawaja Saad Rafique, who was nominated in the Model Town case FIR. "He should not be part of the negotiation team," Shujaat adds.
"All the people nominated in the FIR should not be a part of the negotiation team and this negotiation delegation should be changed," says Sunni Ittehad Council chief Hamid Raza.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 8:15pm
PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri has refused to directly talk to the government. He says a committee comprising of PAT General Secretary Khurram Nawaz, PAT central president Raheeq Abbas and former Punjab governor Ghulam Mustafa Khar will talk to the government.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 7:10pm
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif calls Governor Sindh Ishratul Ebad, Express News reports.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 7:05pm
PAT leader Khurram Nawaz says government’s negotiating team will come back after an hour and thirty minutes.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 7:00pm
Saad Rafique thanks PAT for deciding to listen to the government and enter into talks.
"No demands have been given yet. We have only greeted each other, they are waiting for their partners," says the Railways minister.
Further, Rafique says “We have provided the crowd with water, and will make arrangements for food.”
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 6:55pm
Qadri momentarily steps out of his container to tell his supporters to stop chanting and announces that he will not talk till the Chaudhry brothers reach.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 6:50pm
Qadri has stepped out of his container to greet the delegation.
"Time has come to talk to the government."
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 6:45pm
Addressing the media, Ijazul Haq says Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s response was positive.
“PM’s message will be conveyed to Tahirul Qadri.”
However, he did not disclose any further details.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 6:42pm
Qadri is said to be still inside his container, and will address his supporters again.
Earlier, the PAT chief had said he would not start negotiations until every member of the team is present.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 6:40pm
PAT supporters have crowded around Saad Rafique and are chanting, "Go Nawaz Go".
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 6:36pm
After a meeting at the PM House, the government's negotiating team, comprising Ijazul Haq, Haider Abbas Rizvi and Saad Rafique, has arrived to talk to Qadri again.
Abdul Qadir Baloch is also said to be a part of the delegation.
Express News screengrab of Saad Rafique, Haider Abbas Rizvi and Ijazul Haq outside Qadri's container.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 6:30pm
Chief of Army Staff Raheel Sharif directs Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to resolve the current issue through meaningful dialogue as soon as possible, Express News reports.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 6:20pm
The protesters outside Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s residence have been dispersed, our correspondent in Multan Owais Jafri reports.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 6:17pm
Pakistan Secretariat has been sealed off, Express News reports.
Further, 2,000 additional policemen have been deployed there.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 6:10pm
PTI chairman Imran Khan has taken the stage at D Chowk and will address his workers shortly.
Express News screen grab of Imran Khan on the stage
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 6:08pm
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif met Chief of Army Staff Raheel Sharif Wednesday afternoon, according to sources, reports Express News.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 6:03pm
PTI vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi says that his house in Multan was attacked by Billu Butt earlier today.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 5;40pm
Addressing the media, PTI vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi congratulates PTI and PAT participants for peacefully entering the Red Zone.
Express News screen grab of Shah Mehmood Qureshi
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 5:24pm
Talking to Express News, Rizvi says that they are going to the PM House after meeting with Tahirul Qadri.
“We hope that the deadlock will end soon.”
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 5:22pm
PTI's calls to spread the protests across the country seem to be gaining momentum as son of PTI leader Dr Arif Alvim, Awab Alvi announces a sit-in at Teen Talwar (Three Swords) in Clifton, Karachi.
#KARACHI Join #AzadiMarchPTI Sit-in at TEEN-TALWAR at 6pm - Video screen setup to watch IK's speech as well - Spread the word ASAP
— Awab Alvi (@DrAwab) August 20, 2014
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 5:20pm
Meanwhile, PTI vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi has refused to immediately negotiate with the government.
“Our first condition for negotiations is the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.”
Earlier today, Qureshi said that the party was ready to negotiate with the government on six demands.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 5:05pm
Addressing the media, MQM leader Haider Abbas asks government to allow water and food supplies to reach the participants of the march.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 4:50pm
“I heard on TV that my workers have staged a sit-in in front of the Pakistan Secretariat, and I have directed them to move back.”
Taking back his earlier direction of stopping people from entering or exiting the gates leading to the Parliament House, the Supreme Court and the Cabinet Division, Qadri asks his workers to stage a sit-in but avoid hindering anyone else’s movement.
For a detailed version of Qadri's speech, read here.
Express News screengrab of Qadri, outside his container, addressing his workers.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 4:49pm
"No government representative has visited us yet," the fiery PAT chief claims.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 4:45pm
Haider Abbas Rizvi and Ijazul Haq were not sent by Nawaz Sharif, he says, adding that they came because of MQM chief Altaf Husssain, and the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 4:41pm
Qadri claims that the government is lying, and they have not sent any negotiating teams to him.
“They have started a fraudulent campaign. No one came to me for talks, and I have never refused to talk,” the PAT chief tells his supporters.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 4:39pm
"We have not taken the law into our hands," says Qadri.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 4:36pm
He asks Haider Abbas Rizvi if target killings in Karachi are democratic.
"Mehmood Khan Achakzai, if your daughter or son were killed the way people in Model Town were killed, would you have stood in the assembly and spoken about the derailment of democracy?”
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 4:33pm
“If Hamza Shahbaz, Hussain Nawaz and Mariam Nawaz were martyred and you were part of the opposition, would you have upheld the law and the Constitution?” Qadri asks Nawaz.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 4:31pm
However, he questions whether the killing of those during the Model Town clashes is justified.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 4:28pm
Refuting reports that he did not refuse to hold talks with anyone, Qadri says MQM’s Haider Abbas Rizvi and Ijazul Haq are present with him on the stage as witnesses of this.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 4:26pm
The PAT chief begins his speech by asking his supporters to pray for Gaza.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 4:23pm
Qadri readies to address his supporters while they chant "Go Nawaz, go."
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 4:18pm
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq leaves Peshawar for Islamabad to take part in negotiations, Express News reports.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 4:04pm
“We want to bridge the gap between the government and those staging protests (Imran and Qadri),” says MQM's Haider Abbas Rizvi.
Further, Rizvi says that he has come here on the wishes of MQM chief Altaf Hussain who wants this issue to be resolved peacefully and without any bloodshed.
He adds, "the government should accept the legal demands of PTI and PAT."
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 3:55pm
Ijazul Haq and MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi have arrived to meet PAT leaders Raheeq Abbasi Khurram Nawaz, Express News reports.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 3:35pm
“We will negotiate for six demands,” PTI vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi says.
Qureshi adds that PTI workers will remain peaceful and urged PAT workers to do the same.
"The government is responsible for the current situation," he says.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 3:25pm
I want all Pakistanis 2 get here breaking all barriers. Warning police 2 release r ppl or v will punish them 4 unlawfully detaining r ppl
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 20, 2014
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 3:13pm
Supreme Court (SC) judges are reportedly stuck inside the building of the apex court, due to closure of gates and protests, our correspondent Azam Khan reports.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 3:02pm
Addressing the media, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq says the PTI chairman Imran Khan and the PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri’s decisions to march to the Parliament have made the situation worse.
Haq says that the situation in Islamabad is worrying the whole country.
“Decisions should not be made on an emotional basis,” he says, adding that the failure of political leaders can lead to derailment of democracy.
“The focus of decisions has shifted from Islamabad to Rawalpindi.”
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 2:36pm
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told media in Islamabad that the prime minister cannot be removed from his post in an unconstitutional manner.
“Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will not hand in his resignation on the demand of a few thousand people,” Asif clarifies, while speaking outside the Parliament House.
“We are ready for a peaceful and constitutional solution to this problem,” he states.
Responding to a question regarding the ISPR’s statement on Tuesday night, Asif says that the army is a stakeholder in the country and it is their responsibility to safeguard state buildings as well.
The ISPR had released a statement saying that buildings in the Red Zone are state institutions and will be protected by the army.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 2:04pm
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has left the NA session and has reached the PM House.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 1:43pm
Parliamentarians are entering their vehicles to exit the venue following the end of the NA session.
JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman has been spotted outside the Parliament House.
The JUI-F chief tells Express News, "[PTI and PAT supporters] were given permission to protest, to come to Islamabad. However, their further demands are unconstitutional, and they will not get change like this."
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 1:39pm
The NA session has come to an end and is expected to resume tomorrow. Further, the prime minister did not address the house, Express News reports.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 1:37pm
MNA Shazia Marri, during the ongoing NA session laments, “In the name of civil disobedience, what have you reduced the K-P chief minster to?”
“If the socio-political setup is handled by people who have no respect for culture, tradition, politics or religion, that socio-political set-up is a farce,” the PPP MNA says.
Marri adds, “They [PTI supporters] are kicking Pakistani laborers in the stomach because of their decision not to pay taxes.”
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 1:28pm
Express News reports that representatives of the PTI, PML-Q and AML chief Sheikh Rasheed are not present in the NA session.
Further, PAT supporters have surrounded the gates leading to the Cabinet Division.
Express News screengrab of Pakistan Army vehicles moving towards the gates of the Cabinet Division in Islamabad, flanked by PAT supporters.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 1:11pm
"We won't let the prime minister leave the building (Parliament House) until he resigns," Qadri tells his supporters.
The PM had arrived earlier at the Parliament House to attend a National Assembly session.
Watch Qadri's full speech here:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 1:03pm
“The revolution started from Model Town,” Qadri says.
He makes a veiled threat that his supporters' patience is running out, after which they chant 'Long live the Pakistan Army'.
"I shall condemn whoever raises a hand on a Pakistani soldier," he adds.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 1:01pm
PAT chief Qadri is addressing his workers from outside his container.
"Our war is not with these buildings," he says, pointing towards the PM house, adding, "our war is with those occupying these buildings."
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 12:48pm
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrives in parliament to attend the National Assembly session in Islamabad.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 11:33am
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif meets Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar in Islamabad to discuss how to tackle the current political crisis, Express News reports.
Other members of the federal cabinet also present during the meeting.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 11:15am
Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique had earlier tweeted that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will meet the PTI chief Imran Khan. According to media reports, Rafique has denied tweeting about the meeting.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 4:32am
Tomorrow will be the real day of azadi @ImranKhanPTI #AzadiMarchPTI
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 19, 2014
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 4:30am
Protesters sleeping outside Parliament House. PHOTO IRFAN GHAURI/EXPRESS
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 4:15am
Imran Khan urges prime minister to give up his struggle to retain the premiership, as he can not win. He urges to stop being stubborn and let of of his ego.
PTI chief announces to re-convene sit-in at 4pm on Wednesday evening.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 4:07am
#azadimarchpti track Infront of Parliament House #pti #pakistan pic.twitter.com/YyUeuPuw0X
— Arsalan Taj (@ArsalanGhumman) August 19, 2014
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 3:50am
I will wait for your resignation outside the parliament till evening, after that I will march to Prime Minister House, says PTI chief Imran Khan.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 2:59am
We will not leave until National Government is formed, says PAT chief.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 2:58am
Qadri urges his supporters not to enter into Prime Minister Secretariat, President House, Parliament House.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 2:57am
Infront of PM Secretariat #AzaadiMarchPTI pic.twitter.com/145hXrA2wY
— Masum Siddiqui (@MasumSiddiqui) August 19, 2014
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 2:55am
We will introduce political, judicial, economic and social reforms, says Qadri.
And these reforms can not be implemented, until Shahbaz and Nawaz resigns, says Qadri.
To implement all these reforms, a national government will formed, says Qadri.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 2:52am
We will end corruption and corrupt leaders will be kicked out of democratic system, Qadri announces.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 2:45am
I congratulate Islamabad police, FC and Rangers personnel as protesters arrived in front of the Parliament House without incident, says Qadri.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 2:42am
PAT chief says despite the court's order no FIR of the victims of Model Town has been registered.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 2:38am
The issue was not about removing barriers, it was all about containing the revolution, Qadri claims.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 2:36am
If government wanted to remove barricades near Minhajul Quran, they should have sent the relevant officer, says PAT chief.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 2:35am
Qadri says political disagreements with the PAT should have been solved through political means.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 2:30am
Nawaz ordered the attack on the same house where he used to come with his father in 1980’s, says Qadri.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 2:27am
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had ordered the killing of 14 Pat workkers, but he never does anything without the permission of his elder brother and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, PAT chief alleges.
The decision to launch operation was decided a day earlier in a meeting attended by different provincial and federal agencies.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
August 20, 2:25am
Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri addressing the rally in front of the Parliament.
PAT chief Tahir-ul-Qadri waves to his supporters in front of the Parliament during "Revolution March" protest in Pakistan's capital of Islamabad on August 20, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Tahirul Qadri's charter of demands
COMMENTS (156)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1713281138-0/US-Treasury-Secretary-Janet-Yellen-(2)1713281138-0-270x192.webp)
@Aslam Sheikh: Paid PTI trolls????? I wonder if you ever went to school. Paid trollers can go for a days sit in (if not for a few hours), The protesters are the general masses who love Pakistan and who love IK, there are families, men, women, children and senior citizens who are fed up with corrupt govts and fed up with rigged elections.
This time around if there is re-election on the seats where PTI has resigned, PTI will not get my vote. PTI has very badly let us all down.PTI has acted in an emotionally immature manner
Nawaz League is getting a taste of some Real Opposition unlike Friendly oppoisiton as your govt was in PPP's tenure. And current govt is not used to it at all. IK and every sensible Pakistani demanded, a vote verification of 2013 elections. But with all due respect, govt along with all other state instiutions (Courts, Elections comission, Nardra and committes that were formed) neglected this demand for over 15 months and were evidently non-serious about it. If State institutes were not serious in the last 15 months in reforming the electoral process then what assurance do we have that same PM and same govt will take this task seriously in the future. IK's and Qadri's Jalsa and Dharna have proven one thing that govt is indeed very very weak. Strong and supported govts usually resolve such conflicts well before any situation like this arises. After all ones who run govt are supposed to be Politicians.
I read so many comments here that IK and Qadri are enemies of democracy,,, and why should PM Nawaz resign if nothing is proved against him…. I just say to all of them before making such baseless comments first readout about the real democratic system and the problem that are faced now days by Pakistan and then make comments that is it the real democracy in Pakistan? on which PM Nawaz is proud.
Economic targets of federal government may be delayed due to these so-called long marches and dharnas. Imran is playing very bad role for Pakistan. He is worse than external enemies.
Nawaz Sharif has given peace to our province Baluchistan. Our support is with Nawaz Sharif. Sectarian killings has been decreased in Baluchistan. Our best prayers for Nawaz Sharif.
No change can be brought with Musical Parties every evening. These are tactics just to gather public. Attendance is decreasing day by day.
The crowd has shrinked from few thousand to few hundred now. Imran should leave his ego.
Nawaz Sharif should never resign. Entire nation is standing with Nawaz Sharif.
Pakistan flag flutters + national anthem played and then comes PM Mian Nawz Sharif, 'Mairay Azeez Humwantono, I wish to tender resignation not because of Imran but at my own but when I thought about it quite deeply and questioned myself as to who will look after you once I am gone, I was deeply saddened and simply could not think of leaving you so marooned and therefore under the given situation I am left with no option but to continue as PM in your greater interest, not my personal interest as you may construe, and hence I am going to stick to my guns and continue serving you till the end of my elected tenure as PM. Pakistan Zindabad, Nawaz Sharif supporter Paindabad. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Former Diplomat / Kuwait / zaidiformerdiplomat@hotmail.com
Imran Khan lacks sportsman spirit. He should know that umpire is public. Public has given decision against PTI. Imran should accept the decision of public.
May 2013 elections were free, fair and transparent. International media did the coverage of the elections. No material irregularity was found. Minor issued were there but they might not change the overall result of the election. Imran's criticism is baseless. He has no argument in favour of his blames. Let Judicial Commission of honorable Supreme Court decide. Imran should show some maturity and think for the country.
Accepting to negotiate is a negation of "burning all bridges," so Imran is now on the back foot. He promised not to go back but the point of return started when he withdrew from the siege of Parliament.
Nawaz Sharif should never resign. I voted for him alongwith my family and friends. He is the only vote for Pakistan. I shall never allow Imran Khan to insult my vote.
People are gathered by PTI in the evening in the name of music concert. Imran Khan announced one day before entering red zone that Javed Miandad, Shahid Afridi, Junaid Jamshed, Shahzad Roy and Ali Zafar would come the next day. But none of them came. He did so only to gather the public.
Dear IK, stock market is coming down every day. It is a great loss of Pakistan and investors. Stock market was 18,000 points when Nawaz Sharif became Prime Minister. It has gone to 30,000 points within 13 months. It was a great achievement of the government. Imran, you should have praised the government on it. Opposition does not mean criticizing all the time. Good act should be appreciated and mistakes should be criticized. Dear IK, please leave the politics of agitation. Such type of politics is bad for our country. PLEASE
There is loss of billions to the economy just because of these so-called marches and dharnas. No sane man can favour these marches and dharnas. I believe that Imran and Qadri are enemies of Pakistan.
Imran, your ego is the main problem. Entire democracy is in danger just due to your ego. Please leave your ego and think for Pakistan.
@Alter Ego: More than half of the comments on this page are against IK. Why? Because they are paid by Nawaz Sharif! Simple as that and no doubt about it. The channels that speak out truth for example, ARY, are attacked and abused by the goons and gullu butts of PMLN.
We could go on for ever whether NS or IK is right in their political stands. The fact is this crises has come to this stage because it was created either by the shear arrogance or fear of the consequence. We are at impasse now because NS and his minions thought that IK will go away. In regard to Qadri's demands , the brother Shahbaz did not hesitate to use force by killing 14 unarmed political activists, and he thought it will go away by his denial and blaming others for that massacre. If they would have let thumb verification done in the 4 constituencies demanded by IK one year ago, we would not be seeing these massive protests in Islamabad. The result of those 4 constituencies would have deflated IK's balloon, negative results for NS would have resulted in new by-elections and most likely that could have been the end of the controversy unless there was wholesale rigging in the elections by PML-N. Those who are elected or selected got to go and let mid term elections take place. This whole problem is about rigging the elections, If NS was and is clean then he should come forward and say so and let the verification done anywhere there were doubts but he knew better. Elections has been rigged in Pakistan for decades by all political parties but now in the 21st century and in the age of internet has made rigging so difficult for the old guard and can not be hidden any more from the EYES OF THE YOUNG GENERATION OF PAKISTANIS, these guys think the same way they have been thinking for decades and it has caught up with them now.
What will happen to fund raising trips to the US? You were given hard time while trying to enter the US via Toronto last time, this time getting "on board" will be tougher!
US is against IK. Geo and jang group is against IK. Supreme Court is against IK. Nadra is against IK. Election Commission is against IK. Najam Srthi is againt IK. Gallop Survey is against IK. The Guardian is against IK. The balochis are against IK.
why , because they are all paid by Nawaz Sharif.
The way IK adopted is unconstitutional but his demands is 100% right because he Nawaz Sharif in 1992 conducted a deadly operation against a political party caused 20000(twenty thousand) youth of karachi was still missing, second in his term of 1997 he brought a revolutionary movement of "Qarz Utaro Mulk Sawaroo" and vanished toSaudia Arabia with that handsome amount collected by him, so after that if nation wants to test him this time, as we do so our next generation will never ever forgive us for this act of cruelty.
Were 2013 elections rigged or not rigged is the 1st and the only question to be answered? If the elections were rigged then let PM Nawaz go on leave so that impartial re-counting can be done which will eventually dig out the whole truth. If elections were rigged then Nawaz does not come back as PM but if it is proved that elections were not rigged then Imran and Qadri be brought to justice. (b) How come USA is allowed to poke its nose in our political arena? Under what authority it could utter about our internal affairs? Why Foreign Office spokesman did not object to it? Who supports or opposes me? Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Former Diplomat / Kuwait / zaidiformerdiplomat@hotmail.com
The problem is govt has shown ZERO interest in resolving rigging mystery.
2013 elections as a whole were questionalble.
Who was involved in the rigging? What caused the rigging? Where were the loopholes in the process? What action has been taken to prevent it in future?
None of these questions have been addressed nor any interest has been expressed by the govt.
Imran had also demanded to re-count and verify votes in 4 constitunicies, but govt again back tracked. Basically indicating that yes there was a massive rigging and probably N league's workers were deliberatley involved in the rigging process.
Look at the passion, the spirit, the desire of a Nation to make Naya Pakistan. People have forgotten their sects, their ethnic and cultural differences to contribute towards the making of History. Could any other leader bring out such unity...such craze? Certainly NO. Their demands, their agenda...no matter; sane or insane...but it is backed by a Dream. A dream of Azaadi, which is RE-SEEN by Imran Khan and will be RE-LIVED by the NATION InshaAllah.
This is utter nonsense from IK and TUQ. Few thousand people gathering and demanding the elected government to resign. I bet Taliban can gather more people than these two groups demanding to take over Pakistan..... What would be the stance of ''YOUTHIAS'' in that matter...
It's amazing to see so many educated people be so ignorant as to not even realize it - I'm referring to everyone who is supporting this Inqalabi/Azadi garbage.
I don't support the Sharif brothers in any way but PTI or PAT or CRAP aren't any better. The same faces are in those parties who used to be with other 'despised' parties i.e. the great Chaudry behind TuQ, Hashmi, Querishi behind Imran. Can people really change that dramatically or are they simply looking for the limelight.
Both IK and TuQ are delusional and in my opinion not even Pakistani - both lived in foreign countries have families and ties there and suddenly started caring about Pakistan.
Their demands - plain retarted. Stop paying tax! year very smart.
Who suffers - US!
Pakistani people are in denial. They claim that democracy is the best solution. What we fail to realise is that 70-80% of our population is uneducated and can only be led through force i.e. danda i.e military. We have an inherint need to be told what to do until and unless we realise this fact these idiots will keep coming.
I fail to understand which street drug imran and qadri are using these days. we need to test the urine and sliva samples of these two idiots to identify the problem straight away and publish the report on internet....
Things are tilting towards worst though there were some hopes to solve the problem through dialogue but since Imran and Qadri have announced not to do any more discussion with government + Parliament has backed Mian Nawaz Sharif to continue as PM + Islamabad IG Police is removed since he refused to attack the agitating crowd + Approaches are blocked so no water and food can reach the agitating crowd + Imran alleges that his workers have been arrested + Qadri said that drinking water has been contaminated etc Iqbal Hadi Zaidi
@Renegade: If Imran khan is that clean then please PTI followers explain certain things to me so that I can join him and his protest against the government: Remember Imran khan’s speeches against Sheikh rasheed many years ago? According to him Sheikh rasheed would not be hired by him even as a sweeper. He was against the musharraf regime and Sheikh Rasheed was in that government. So how come Sheikh Rasheed became his trusted friend all of a sudden? Did he get cleaned by passing through the Imran’s cleaning machine? Imran Khan can blame anyone if he wishes to and then promises that proof of those will follow although they never do. He blamed certain people before this march for rigging and then said proof will be given in the march. I was anxiously waiting but he did not give any proof. That means there never was any proof just his imagination? Its been a year for Nawaz Sharif’s government and he compares him to cruel dictators of certain muslim countries who had been ruling for many years. So if Imran fails to improve things in the country after one year he would also be considered with the likes of Hosni Mubarak? He considers election commission lead by Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim an accomplice to this crime of rigging but I still remember when Fakhruddin was appointed for the election commission Imran Khan on GEO TV accepted this and endorsed this. So why did he become a criminal all of a sudden when he lost the election? Imran Khan says Nawaz Sharif has family members in politics and blames him for running this govt as a family business but then why are Imran’s sisters in politics? Why does CM KPK has his family members in the KPK assembly? Well as long as Khan’s people do it its justified because well yeah he won the world cup, which he reminds everyone after every minute. And yeah PTI followers, I stood in line for 8 hours to vote for PTI and did so as to bring change in the assemblies not to topple a government and bring martial law. Yes the seeds have been sown, indeed well done.
@Haris: Imran khan's partner is pretty awesome. Sheikh Rasheed was considered a sweeper by him a few years ago.
For someone who has not owned his own daughter to accuse others of bad character and to get away with that kind of behavior requires immature media and a culture who thinks that it is ok to never own one's child. We all can make mistakes, but to never own our mistakes and own a child resulting from our "mistake" requires a degree of psychological corruption that is beyond belief for a so called educated cricketer!
@JAVAID: has SC given his verdict on this one or you just firing your follies in?
If anyone would want this SHAM DEMOCRACY to continue it will be this President.......as he is one of the biggest beneficiaries of it.
Common Nawaz... Resign already...
Hush away you PMLN paid trolls
Imran looking to bring the corrupt government down in the accompany of Qaudri, Ch. Shujat/Pervez, Jamshed Dasti, etc. What a joke!
I am tired of this Dharna style politics of Imran Khan. He has wasted more than a year in doing this type of politics and ignoring KPK. PTI will not win even a single seat in the next elections from KPK. Complete failure of Imran and his advisors.
Imran, your party is not even opposition leader in Parliament. This is the only reason for your fake long march and dharna. Entire nation stands behind Nawaz Sharif.
NS should never resign. It will be the insult of my vote. It will be insult of 16 million voters all over country.
If PTI wins, there is no rigging. If PTI loses, there is rigging. Dirty politics of PTI.
Biggest problem for PTI is the ego of Imran Khan. Democracy may be derailed due to egoistic attitude of Imran Khan. He should use his brain if he has any.
Just saw that photo of Tariq Khan from Australia cleaning Pakistan.
He is the real hero for me.
Mr Khan - I salute you and would like to thank you so much for doing what you are doing.
Do you have a website?
My family and I had supported IK and PTI. In the recent days I have been extremely disappointed in their conduct. I am ashamed of the language that IK has used for NS and the state of Pakistan. The feeling of disgust are shared by Anlarge segment of society that I have talked to. NS and the government has behaved admirably. PML N has our support.
@Zaida parvez people like you don't realise the enormous power the masses have in a democratic state. Majority is power and we are the majority!
NS sober, mature, more praises. What a joke! Blind nation!
In for a penny....in for a pound. If this so called ' sham democracy ' gets derailed and ' true democracy ' is ushered in.........for once it will be a win for the people.
Imran Khan and Tahir ul Qadri are looking for dead bodies and injured people. They want bloodshed in Islamabad to strengthen their movements. It is greatness of Nawaz Sharif that no bloodshed in Islamabad even after dirtiest language used by Imran Khan against Nawaz Sharif. I salute Nawaz Sharif.
Dear Nawaz Sharif, no need of resignation only due to baseless blames of Imran Khan. If blames are proved, then off course resignation. This is the simple solution.
I again request my respected leader nawaz sharif to order us for the public rally. We are ready for it. We want to hold a masssive public rally in Lahore. Please do it ASAP.
Nawaz Sharif is the most sober and mature politician. He always remains humble even his opponents use very dirty words about him. My prayers for Nawaz Sharif. Poor people are praying for Nawaz Sharif and Insha-Allah he will remain safe.
Imran, please set aside your ego and think for Pakistan. This is my humble request to you. I hope you will think over it. Allah bless Pakistan.
It's safe to say every person who was in the running for PM was a bad candidate. Nawaz Sharif just sucked less.
Litmus Test! How about trying 'women' to negotiate on behalf of PM who is not tendering resignation? Why not try sending women to settle down the dust? Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Former Diplomat / Kuwait / zaidiformerdiplomat@hotmail.com
What a foolish fellow Imran Khan is? When his first demand is resignation of the Prime Minister, who will negotiate with him for remaining demands. The people who follow him seem to be more foolish. Taking the government for ransom bypassing the constitutional bodies is nothing but sedition. His rhetoric started when the Army started operations in North Waziristhan. Right from beginning, his actions are meant to give Taliban a breathing time to consolidate and regroup. Why intelligentsia is keeping quite when the constitution is molested by inciting street mobs.
PM needs to resign. He came into power in rigged elections.
We also need electoral reforms in the process.
Nawaz Sharif should never resign. He is an elected PM. I request respected Imran Khan to please don't insult PML-N voters. PML-N voters are also Pakistanis.
@Overseas Pak : You can't compare PK to UK. Reason UKs geography, location, climate, and proximity to Rome and Greece. To understand better, you need to go back a few thousand years and study the history of civilisations, the big picture. Anyhow, in 20 years neither IK nor NWS will be around, so let's not make it about individuals. But if we keep pressing the reset button then we will be stuck in a perpetual loop of disruption, and there will never be peace in this country to build stable democratic institutions.
@Iqbal Hadi Zaidi: Ask Imran Khan the sam questions.
PTI and PTA have asked for nothing less than PM MNS resignation which he is not tendering so what negotiations we are talking about. If MNS had resigned even on 14th, none has marched to Islamabad but ever since he did not resign and does not want to resign then I doubt there could be some talks except waste of time and test of energies and patience. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait
What a shame Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapksa had to cancel his visit to Islamabad on 22nd instant simply because of the prevailing situation of the country in general and Islamabad in particular. Did we earn laurel or blot upon cancellation of such trip? Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Former Diplomat / Kuwait / zaidiformerdiplomat@hotmail.com
Allah bless Pakistan. Allah bless Nawaz Sharif.
Is it true that nothing can reach the protestors? Has Islamabad been turned into Karbala? Why water & food can be supplied to the protesters? Who wants thousands of people including children, women and men to starve to death? Human be treated as human is the crux with no reference as to one is in opposition or government. I pray not just wish that all the protesters must have an access to water and food. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Former Diplomat / Kuwait / zaidiformerdiplomat@hotmail.com
Thanks Allah, ice is broken and Imran agrees to talk to government though not unconditionally and I hope things will improve upon whereby hatred is gone and pleasure takes over. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Former Diplomat / Kuwait / zaidiformerdiplomat@hotmail.com
There isn’t such thing as democracy (as described in an English dictionary) in a country like Pakistan. There is, however, a system in Pakistan that is far inferior or superior (depends upon how you look at it) than the actual democratic system that gets practiced in the world. For example, if a UK citizen ever became a citizen of Pakistan and lived a life of an average Pakistani they wouldn’t be able to survive for long given the lawlessness, lack of basic rights/necessities, no state protection etc – making the system in Pakistan inferior to the actual democratic system. On the other hand, if David Cameron ever became a prime minister of Pakistan I am sure he would never want to become a prime minister of the UK ever again given the perks (i.e. huge PM House to live in, police escorts, immunity from prosecution, immense power over citizens, fully expensed exceptionally high living standard, opportunity to create mass wealth etc) associated with being a prime minister in Pakistan - making the system in Pakistan superior to the actual democratic system.
The current issue in Pakistan is a confrontation between the above view points. At one end you have the protestors headed by IK and TuQ attempting to change the current system in Pakistan and at the other end you have veteran politicians trying their best to save the system that keeps them in business.
In my view, neither side has done justice to their cause. I think IK and TuQ lacked the vision to lead their cause. I can see many followers of IK deserting him given some of the decisions made by him over the last week. NS and co on the other hand, instead of being cocky and inarticulate should have been a lot more proactive and engaged in stakeholder management a lot earlier (i.e. dealt with IK and his followers in a way that would have kept them going without causing any issues for themselves). I would rate Zardari and co when it comes to dealing with issues like this. They did a pretty good job with NS’s long march and TuQ’s dharna.
Once all this ends, I think best thing for both sides would be to reflect upon all this or perhaps just call it a day.
We all, tens of millions of Pakistanis who love their motherland are with you IK. You are the only hope for us.
@Prognosticator: A man of class with hundreds of faults!!! Hats off to you for your exemplary choice of 'leadership'!!!
@Naheed Aslam: Please show some decency. No need to mention anyones parents.
Though I am a supporter of PTI and I respect what Imran Khan has to day but marching on like on parliament and asking for premier resignation is not the right thing to do. There are many other ways where PM could be asked for his resignation. This will derail the whole system as tomorrow any party can sit and protest to ask for PM's resignation.
May Allah keep Pakistan and ppl living in it safe
@Human: IK tried to play the fair game on his own pitch for the last 14 months. No one paid any heed to him. Being a true leader, he has now shown adaptiblity skills and is now playing on NS pitch i.e. arm twisting and pressurising - the 'politics', as known and practiced by NS for the past three decades. NS is now getting a taste of his own medicine. If IK is successfully able to negotiate some real demands like the accountability of people who rigged the last elections, formation of a new election commission, true electoral reforms, local body elections asap, free and fair mid-term elections etc , he shall be coming back as the true and victorious leader. Because these are the changes desperately needed by the people of Pakistan. This shall be the first step twords recovery from all the abuse of the people by these 'politicians' and military take-overs in the past few decades.
Hats off 4 Imran+Qadri+Nawaz as till this point of time no riots have taken place even though all the parties are fully charged. MNS has not has been too provocative otherwise things have gone to dogs till now. I repeat my wish that none even be injured what to talk of being killed. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Former Diplomat / Kuwait / zaidiformerdiplomat@hotmail.com
Nawaz Sharif should show his political power by organizing a massive public rally. PML(n) workers are waiting for the call of their leader.
Conscience to resign, if unable to deliver or suspected of corruption, just like any other civilized country must be the norm. Government & opposition is united because if this becomes the tradition their game of musical chair will end once and for all.
Did I read Qadri will kick out all corrupt government officials?? Really???.. On his stage to his left and right, he has some of the biggest crooks in Pakistan's political history supporting him, whom he hands microphone to speak, shakes hands with and so on - have a heart man...
If Imran khan is that clean then please PTI followers explain certain things to me so that I can join him and his protest against the government:
Remember Imran khan's speeches against Sheikh rasheed many years ago? According to him Sheikh rasheed would not be hired by him even as a sweeper. He was against the musharraf regime and Sheikh Rasheed was in that government. So how come Sheikh Rasheed became his trusted friend all of a sudden? Did he get cleaned by passing through the Imran's cleaning machine? Imran Khan can blame anyone if he wishes to and then promises that proof of those will follow although they never do. He blamed certain people before this march for rigging and then said proof will be given in the march. I was anxiously waiting but he did not give any proof. That means there never was any proof just his imagination? Its been a year for Nawaz Sharif's government and he compares him to cruel dictators of certain muslim countries who had been ruling for many years. So if Imran fails to improve things in the country after one year he would also be considered with the likes of Hosni Mubarak? He considers election commission lead by Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim an accomplice to this crime of rigging but I still remember when Fakhruddin was appointed for the election commission Imran Khan on GEO TV accepted this and endorsed this. So why did he become a criminal all of a sudden when he lost the election? Imran Khan says Nawaz Sharif has family members in politics and blames him for running this govt as a family business but then why are Imran's sisters in politics? Why does CM KPK has his family members in the KPK assembly? Well as long as Khan's people do it its justified because well yeah he won the world cup, which he reminds everyone after every minute. And yeah PTI followers, I stood in line for 8 hours to vote for PTI and did so as to bring change in the assemblies not to topple a government and bring martial law.Nawaz Sharif should arrange a big public rally in Lahore to release the pressure. He himself should address the rally. Thousands of his workers are waiting for the call. Mian Sahib, please call us.
imran khan is a revolutionary.
Establishment and its puppets (Imran + Qadri) are in full action. But Insha Allah, Nawaz Sharif will win the battle.
@Bilal: Which 'democratic system' are you taking about? Oh right, the system where thugs come to power by rigging the elections, stealing people's mandate, just so they can fill their pockets, satisfy their lust for wealth and make sure they leave their children to 'rule' over us after them! News flash, this is not DEMOCRACY!
PML-n all the way. Allah bless Nawaz Sharif.
@Prognosticator: The kind of people you like and consider of belonging to a very special class, shows a lot about you too. It shows you are of the lowest grade of living beings.
IMRAN KHAN is the only hope of PAKISTAN Whole nation is with IMRAN KHAN.
hearing Dr. Q's speech at Parliament square last night, he has been forced it seems to take to a long march after the killing of his people, women included in Lahore, the shooting into his bedroom and worse for which under the best of conditions, Shahbaz Sharif as CM is totally responsible and accountable. The Punjab authorities must immediately file his FIR, Shahbaz, his sons and niece resign (thus making amends with IK as well), and a totally independent committee formed to investigate tax evasion & corruption of the political class. At such a time, the government would be in a position to negotiate with Q and IK. Unless a serious overture is made to the people in parliament square, this situation could spiral out of control. After all, Q and IK are asking for basic human rights values in place which our politicians lost a long time ago. Our world has changed tremendously in the past twenty years, wake up and change mindsets, work for those who have elected you, for a healthy democratic system where the rule of law is applied to all...
@Prognosticator: So you admit that he has a hundred faults, he might be a crook, a tax evader or corrupt but everything is good as long as he has 'class'.
I dnt care if Nawaz Shareef resigns or not. Imran Khan has awaken the sleeping nation and this will only replicate. Respect for this man! One thing though Sir IK dnt leave this movement here only, Sindh and Balochistan also needs you, make us one nation.
How much is the going rate for per day for these protesters who are laying in front of the parliament building? Who is financing? Aim looking for job too.
@Waqar: I hope you were being sarcastic because if you weren't, well that's bad news for the future of this country.
Once for all Go Nawaz Go!
Go Nawaz go, you deserve this only.
@Waqar, I remember when Musharraf/Shaukat Aziz used to give the same economic indicators (forex reserves, rupee stability, stock exchange etc) as a sign of their success, PML N supporters and the media wing used to dismiss all that in the name of trickle down economy/book fudging. But now, these indicators are the truth? Double standard, much?
FYI, our gdp growth was just 3.3% for FY2013/14 - consistent with the previous years under Zardari (under Musharraf, this used to be above 5%).
PML-N should also bring its voters outside on the roads to give the answer. PTI should remember that only Lahore is enough to give the answer.
The last elections were allegedly rigged just because Imran Khan did not become PM!! The Election commission was the same in KPK and the rest of Pakistan. The Chief Justice was the same and the electoral process was no different in KPK and the other parts of Pakistan. IK is lying, befooling and deceiving the nation. I myself voted for PTI, I did convacing for PTI during the last election as the image and expectation from PTI was that of a law abiding political force. The reason people liked and voted for PTI was their expectation that PTI will demonstrate a high moral character. The reason i voted for PTI was a promise of IK that they will remain non violent and uphold the law and constitution. Unfortunately, IK has plunged the country in utter chaos and anarchy. SHAME ON PTI AND IMRAN KHAN.
I think Imran Khan should do the following:
Publish tax return files of all himself/his MNAs/MPAs for the last 5 years. If he cannot do this, wait till his own party members are white before pointing any fingers at others.Not filing tax returns is just like cheating or fraud or any other misdemeanor/misdeed he is accusing his opponents of. Make his KP province a model of governance for other provinces to follow: schools for children, security for all, good governance, clean drinking water, etc etc. If he does all this he will not need to do all this melodrama; he will win in the next elections and become PM of the country; you have to wait and give every one a chance whilst doing your best in your own province - otherwise it doesnt make any sense. Admit that his Civil Disobedience call was a mistake. Gandhi Ji did - in another era against foreign occupation, not against your own - and at that time it was just a symbolic gesture against the British for tax on Salt NOT essential services.A PTI voter!
Imran Khan (y)
Why should NS resign because of IK obsession ? Will IK resign from assembly if Jamat Islami asked him to ? NS has so far shown much more flexiblity then IK . Does the mob of 35000-45000 gives IK the right to oust NS ?
Entire democratic system is on stake due to ego problem of Immature Imran. He is an enemy of Pakistan. He is worse than Taliban for pakistan.
Imran always abuses, blames and accuses others. Why does he not use decent language in his speeches? There is no evidence of all his blames. He is expert in telling lies in his speeches and interviews. Poor upbringing of Imran by his parents.
@Prognosticator: Can you explain what do you mean when you used the word "man of class" for Nawaz Shareef?.If corruption ,neopotism and building family empire from tax payers money is concerned certainly he is class of his own.Even Zardari can not beat him in this regard.
@JAVAID:
If you don't accept an election as genuine & free, then you don't have a democracy anyway! No nation can progress like that. Party losing is always disappointed but should have maturity to accept the defeat in a true democracy.
It is said that the true test of fairness of an elections is if the ruling establishment suffers losses. We know an election is fake when the people in power win regularly (in some cases with unreal majorities like 70-90%.
Nawaz Sharief won the eleection, though PPP was in power. Why would PPP (or army) fix an election to put a person inimical to them in power?
To me it seems like Army didn't like the result, so now they are formenting trouble with help of Qadri and Imran, so they can take over again!!
Enough of face saving enough of exposure of stupidity disburse them and and bring all ulu butts of inqilab to justice.
I feel pity for the paid PTI trolls who are following Imran who does not know the ethics of communication. He often uses street language in his speeches. Insha Allah he will repent one day.
"Tomorrow will be the real day of azadi..." Imran Khan is saying the same thing every single day since Aug 13. I think he might have to be institutionalized after this march fizzles out. Just look at his expressions recently. He might start tearing up his kameez soon. And where is his sidekick the fake Sheikh? Looks like he has gone into hiding. That man was responsible for egging on the simple Imran Khan into doing all this drama.
Nawaz Sharif is the only hope for Pakistan. - He has initiated many projects for power generation. They will be giving production within few years. - Stock Exchange was 18000 points that went up to 30000 points within 14 months. - Foreign exchange reserves are becoming better. - Rupee is strengthening against other countries. Pakistan will suffer a lot due to political instability.
Mr.Nawaz Sharif may have a hundred faults. But he is a man of class. Can't say the same for Imran Khan. I think Mr.Sharif is lowering himself by meeting Imran Khan. Imran is becoming maniacal and desperate by the day. He should be left alone. Maybe the rains will cool him down.
Since 14th.August 1947. this country has been under “tremendous pressure” at the “crossroads” under conspiracies, under threat, it has always been under and under, we obviously are not a normal nation, it seems our mindsets have been indoctrinated to be under. That is why since even after 66 years of ”independence” we are no where near being independent. Look at South Korea, China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan. Many of these countries were flattened at the end of the 2nd.World War, and look where they are now. Even Bangladesh is ahead of Pakistan in many ways, it does not have terrorists, extremists, and therefore can spend its scarce resources on education, health and development. Our mindset is such that we cannot do without making enemies. Therefore there is always a fight going on somewhere in Pakistan. This Musharraf saga is just one more example of how our mindset works.
Nawaz Sharif is under tremendous pressure to resign, so in that case both( N.S.-Musharaf Sb.) can leave Pakistan in the same flight, become friends and discuss their comeback strategy enroots.
Couple of days ago, Jon Boone wrote that the turn out was extremely poor and Imran Khan was in a tight corner because of his borderline stupidity. The article also quoted Najam Sethi (puppet of Nawaz Sharif who played a crucial role in the rigging process) who was rewarded with Chairmanship of Pakistan Cricket Board after the elections. All of a sudden, Jon Boone can see the massive crowd (although the number is much higher than the reported 30 K) and is of the opinion that the marchers have pushed Nawaz Sharif in the corner...Jon, you are not up to the Guardian standards !! Your research work is below par and your reporting is far from neutral !
we should all join this campaign and not sit in and watch on TV sets, its time to act and remove the corrupt system we have all been complaining about, chalo chalo Islamabad chalo!!!more power to IK & TUQ
Another Islamic State in the making. You guys will never learn.
We have status quo trolls in this blog. All the readers notice: NO ONE is talking about the demands set but are bickering about the two leaders, especially Dr. Tahir ul Qadri. For the sake of Pakistan, can't you see these demands are the need of the hour?
Nehari rally will be held at Model Town today at 5P.M. The "Democratically Elected PM" Nawaz Sharif and his side-Kick Shahbaz will themselves be present at the rally. All patients of Stockholm Syndrome from Karachi to Hunza are encouraged to attend this rally to show solidarity with the 'ECP'(The most transparent election body in the world) and the government. Spread the word
@Ghumman: Would we get justice from courts which passed a judgemen last week that demanding PM resignation is UN-CONSTITUTIONL.
@harkol: The mandate must be genuine thriough a fair and transparent election.
@Haseeb: Calling Dacoit as dacoit is not a bad language at all.Just answer from your heart do you really think that Nawaz Shareef is an honest person?.His huge wealth with in and outside Pakistan and amount of tax he paid in past 25 years speaks volume of his honesty.
@FaizY: VERY OLD ARGUMENT.If elections are held in a biometric system no one would come on streets against rigging in the election.
Breaking News: Nawaz Sharif has joined IK's civil disobedience movement. His very own industry Ittefaq Foundry has refused to pay over Rs.40 million worth of electricity bills.
This is just dirty politics:
1) Even if PTI or PAT get what they want - after breaking the constitution and their written oaths - next time, someone who had lost will also bring a "million man revolutionary march" and demand resignation.
2) Even if re-elections done then they will be done on the same "rigged" system. Reformation is done on the table, and not on the streets. Government has always stressed this. It will said that it would take at least 5 years for complete system reformation that IK wants.
3) Pakistan's history of unstable governance will once again repeat.
4) Lying, finger pointing, being impatient, and using women and children as shield is not a good gesture to the youth.
5) IK has criticized almost every institution of Pakistan. Anyone who goes against IK's thinking is also his enemy. He needs to realize that he is not an angel. He can also make mistakes.
6) Pakistan is at state of war
7) IK's allegations against government have yet to be verified by a third party. Anyone can say that he is right.
8) IDP's are sleeping hungry.
9) Pakistan's economy, business, education, judiciary, legislature and civil life have been made a joke.
10) Weak Pakistan has spend a lot to maintain this march, and will have to spend more to do anything like a re-election.
Is this the new Pakistan IK wanted?
Why should Nawaz Sharif resign if nothing is proved against him? Courts and Judicial Commission will decide whether elections were fair or not. It is not justified to ask him to resign before proving any thing.
Stupid tradition set. Even if you assume that IK or TuQ come to power, "for their people", then the they will also get toppled by "a million people". This is what makes this so called "revolutionary" breach of Constitution filthy. In the long term, Pakistan's people suffer. And the only history of unstable governance will keep on repeating itself.
@Iqbal Hadi Zaidi: But would NS listen to this advice.He has a long history doing bussiness in politics.From Chanja Manga to present regime.He try to buy people from looted tax payers money.If he was honest leader ,he would have allowed voters audit of 4 constituency demanded by Imran Khan 14 months ago.He knew very well that those 4 seats were won by massive scale rigging.If it was exposed he would have no moral grounds to continue.
Election Tribunal did allow vote varification in Ayaz Amir and Saad Rafiqe constituency but both took a stay order from high court against Election Tribunal decision.Same court which passed a judgent last week that demading PM resignation by an opposition party is "unconstitutional".In all other democratic countries the opposition do ask PM to resign on various issues.No court declares their demand as un constitutional. PML should stop hiding behind constitution,parliment,courts and army.Its the time up for them to resign and pave pay for true election under biometric system.
Imran, you used very dirty language against Nawaz Sharif. Ths is what is taught to you by your parents.
Mian Nawaz Sharif can be winner and not loser. He should resign to satisfy Imran + Qadri which will avoid killing and a care taker government will be set up entrusted to conduct new elections. MNS should contest election and if he wins he becomes PM for 4th time-an unprecedented record in Pakistan history which I doubt can be broken even in a century so eventually MNS is the winner. Imran can be PM only after winning election unless after MNS ouster he wants to be care taker PM which I very much doubt. Think it seriously please. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Former Diplomat / Kuwait / zaidiformerdiplomat@hotmail.com
Demand of Imran khan are just and government should immediately resign. All businesses will stop if anything happens to our honest leader.
A bull set on to a leashed lion!
Demands of TUQ are comprehensive and long sighted. Well done TUQ
PTI and TUQ have now become gullu butts of revolution by encroaching on the state's writ, and symbols of a functioning government. The moment they force their way into parliment house, they loose the moral authority to stop any Pakistani from forcing their way into each others' homes. Who will then stop the rest of Pakistan from forcing its way into Bani Gala and Model Town secretariat? And this is what enemies of Pakistan wanted : a civil war, to disintegrate Pakistan from within.
Interior minister says security is in hands of army Section 245 is in force. But police is essentially unarmed. Ispr says building are under army control but no where is reference to judges or members of parliament and staff. Outside there is essentially a mob. Can somebody with keener insight comment on it ? Demonstrators bring crane with them. Interesting management by civilian authorities. Does not speak highly of good management.Now that people are running around in front of parliament. I understand a restricted area. Who is going to put the genie back in bottle? Comments will be welcome if this survives et,s censor
Pakistan won't be a true democracy till people learn to respect the mandate and right of an duly elected govt. and learn to vote out govts only through elections.
Raiding parliament, asking PM to resign on the back of street protests is recipe for anarchy and military coup. Perhaps that's the intention.
I think it's important that we think about our country. What message are Qadri and IK giving worldwide? What will their actions prove other than the fact that they are selfish leaders who care about power but not the Country itself. All they want is premier's resignation but for what purpose? That's the important question here. Imran Khan has claimed repeatedly earlier that he wont be able to control his supporters than how can he guarantee a peaceful protest? Things are peaceful now but what if they go haywire eventually? And same goes for Qadri. These buildings are Country's heritage which warrant respect and i believe these sit-ins are a disrespect.
Very sad day for Pakisan and democracy everywhere. Qadri and Imran cannot win an election , even if its 100% fair. They know that. That's why they have resorted to this undemocratic muscle power and connivance with the army. Do you think the army would have stood idly by if these protestors were marching against the army head quarters ? But the question is, why does not PMLN muster counter rallies , if this is going to be decided in a street brawl ? This is worse than a military coup. This is just a coup by a mob.
I read the demands made by Qadri.
Sorry to ask you this: Are you Pakistanis foolish?
Qadri is asking what every man asks, but as a condition that cannot be fulfilled even by god.
Good luck with revolution and freedom after 70 years of freedom.
@Zaida Parvez: What do you mean by elected PM..Was Nawaz Shareef elected by a fair and transparent election.He has no moral grounds to stay in power,.
PTI and TUQ have now become gullu butts of revolution by encroaching on the state's writ, and symbols of a functioning government. The moment they force their way into parliment house, they loose the moral authority to stop any Pakistani from forcing their way into each others' homes. Who will then stop the rest of Pakistan from forcing its way into Bani Gala and Model Town secretariat ? And this is what enemies of Pakistan wanted : a civil war, to disintegrate Pakistan from within.
Demagogues have the Government on the run.
Has he gone completely mad? Does he seriously think by sitting in front of the assembly the elected PM will resign? It appears that his simple mind is only fit for playing cricket.
We are with you Khan. We want end to corruption and tax evasion
Mr Qadri must release his own tax returns for the last ten yrs. to the public. This way people's will know about his financial net worth and how much is his assets are and from where he made the money. This should include his over seas assets and accounts too. I have been asking for this demand for the last three months. So far he has not responded. If he does not release his tax returns, In my opinion he is corrupt religious leader unless proven other wise.
Remove them once for all Imran.
The demands make sense. This current government is not a democracy, is totally useless, and it needs to go. I hope the masses realize this and stand with the protesters!
The seeds of revolution have been sown, now nothing can stop us(the awam) from taking back our country from these criminals.
Imran Khan Zindabad! We are with you Imran Khan.
Down with this fake government. We are tired of our money being stolen and looted by these corrupt families for the past 30 years.