The move comes in the wake of news that the Chinese President had postponed his trip to Pakistan owing to the uncertainty in Islamabad.
As their protests enter the 23rd day, leaders of both groups remain resolute in their demand for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
-Imran Khan alleged that Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch came to power through electoral fraud.
- Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has said the government and PTI’s negotiation committees will meet again on Monday
Read all our coverage of PTI’s Azadi March here and the Inqilab March here.
Updates of the Islamabad protests from September 7, 2014, can be found here.
September 9, 12:37am
Imran Khan urges the Supreme Court to take suo moto notice of the 800 containers placed around Islamabad to block off roads.
"CJP, either order authorities to remove these containers, or we will remove it by force," says Imran Khan.
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September 9, 12:35am
Referring to the unofficial results of by-elections in PK-68, where PTI's candidate was declared winner, Imran Khan says, "if Maulana Fazlur Rehman has any objection, then I am ready to hold re-counting tomorrow."
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September 8, 11:40pm
After a second meeting between the government and PTI, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that PTI has conveyed their points and that they had reached an agreement on most of the points.
"One of their demands is non-negotiable for us, while PTI have also expressed its final position on another demand," says Dar
Meanwhile, PTI's Shah Mehmood Qureshi says they had completed discussions on the papers that they had exchanged and that PTI had conveyed their final position to the government committee and that it was now up to the government to take a final decision.
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September 8, 11:27pm
JI chief Sirajul Haq, while talking to Express News anchor Javed Chaudhry on the programme Kal Tak, says if all three parties come onto one page with definite goals, and if any party dishonours it, they, the opposition parties, will then side with the other party.
He adds that the delay in negotiations was from the government, the PTI and the PAT.
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September 8, 11:17pm
Negotiation committees of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and government have made some progress on all points of conflict, including resignation of the Sharif brothers, but disagreement on two core issues remain.
Read the full story here.
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September 8, 10:17pm
Imran Khan vows to force the Sharif brothers to pay back loans that they had had written-off.
The PTI chief alleges that NA-200 Ghotki, which was won by PPP candidate Ali Gohar Khan Mehar, was contested by the runner up. On scrutiny of 60 polling stations, of the 42,000 votes polled in them, 30,000 were found to be bogus.
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September 8, 10:00pm
"This is not just a movement against election rigging, it is also a movement to reform the system in this country," says Imran Khan.
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September 8, 9:40pm
Addressing his supporters, PTI chairman Imran Khan says he holds those who keep coming into power responsible for the damage and deaths caused by floods.
“PTI has won in the by-elections in Dera Ismail Khan .”
Imran says he could forgive JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman for his corruption but not for taking jibes at the women participating in his sit-in.
“In the next elections we will eliminate Maulana Fazlur Rahman’s party.”
Express News screengrab of PTI chairman Imran Khan addressing his supporters.
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September 8, 8:35pm
The PML-Q submitted a written reply to the Supreme Court, requesting the apex court to direct all political parties to resolve the current political impasse within the parameters of the Constitution.
Read here for the full story.
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September 8, 8:15pm
Addressing his supporters, PTI chairman Imran Khan says he will make a revelation at 9:30pm today.
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September 8, 8:05pm
MQM chief Altaf Hussain reiterates that the sit-ins should be called off owing to floods in the country, Express News reports.
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September 8, 7:05pm
PPP leader Rehman Malik has called MQM chief Altaf Hussain to invite his party to join opposition’s political jirga, Express News reports.
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September 8, 6:40pm
Meanwhile, PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri begins addressing his supporters.
Qadri says no matter how many obstacles are kept in his way, he won't back down.
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September 8, 6:30pm
Addressing the joint session of Parliament, MQM leader Babar Ghauri criticises the talks between the protesting parties and the government.
“Talks keep taking place but there is no outcome.”
“Protesters also have issues, they should be heard as well.”
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September 8, 5:55pm
The joint session of Parliament has begun, Express News reports.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is also present at the session.
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September 8, 5:50pm
Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal says that today's talks between PAT and the government were positive.
“We will meet with the PAT again at 4pm tomorrow.”
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September 8, 5:05pm
Negotiations between PTI and the government's negotiating team have ended, Express News reports.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid left Jehangir Tareen's residence without talking to media representatives.
Meanwhile, PTI vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi says his party wants the deadlock to end.
"The talks were positive and we adopted a flexible attitude," he adds.
“Finance Minister Ishaq Dar will convey our demands to PM Nawaz,” he says.
Express News screengrab of PTI vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi talking to media representatives.
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September 8, 5:00pm
Addressing the media, member of the opposition’s political jirga JI chief Sirajul Haq says negotiations with the protesting parties are heading towards a positive outcome.
“The responsibility lies more with the federal government,” he says, urging all parties to sacrifice and take a step back.
PPP leader Rehman Malik adds, “Sacrifice is the need of the hour.”
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September 8, 3:38pm
Addressing the media in Rawalkot during his visit to rain-affected victims in Azad Kashmir, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif lamenting over the postponement of the Chinese president’s visit, says the two countries were going to sign agreements on road and communication infrastructures and energy projects including hydro-power, coal based and solar power projects.
“But he (Chinese president) isn’t coming owing to the sit-ins,” he adds.
“We have been deprived of an important programme for the economic growth of the country and we will have to start all over again.”
Express News screengrab of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addressing the media in Rawalkot.
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September 8, 2:58pm
Supporters of Tahirul Qadri play cricket in front of tents erected outside the Parliament building in Islamabad. PHOTO: AFP
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September 8, 2:50pm
The government's negotiating team has reached Jehangir Tareen's residence to meet with PTI's negotiating team, Express News reports.
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September 8, 2:36pm
PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat has reached Dr Tahirul Qadri’s container, Express News reports.
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September 8, 11:47am
PTI and the government team will have another round of negotiations at 2pm, Express News reports.
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September 8, 2:20am
There is not a shred of doubt that the recent developments in Islamabad have affected the country’s economic progress, causing direct and indirect, measurable and immeasurable losses.
The government has so far estimated overall losses to the economy at Rs547 billion. Out of the total, Rs228 billion have been estimated on account of 4.3% depreciation in the value of Pakistani rupee against the US dollar.
Read the full story here.
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September 8, 12:12am
PTI chief Imran Khan has cancelled his visit to flood affected areas of Wazirabad and Sialkot, Express News reports.
PTI chief will now visit the flood affected areas on Tuesday, says PTI leader Umar Dar.
Dar says the decision was taken due to party engagements.
Earlier Imran Khan had announced to visit the flood affected areas on Monday.
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COMMENTS (52)
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@Atif: No one lets PML N or any government complete their time as sanctioned so how can anyone judge them. One year of PML N doesn't tell you much except that the world was positive on Pakistan's development. Shame on people who support mob rule instead of working like civilized citizens with a system of governance. It's easy to march and dance to music but harder to work. My goal os for PM Nawaz to keep building Pakistan to show the protesters that they can throw rocks and break things but the PML N will focus on building Pakistan instead! Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri should go home and leave the nation alone.
khan sahib don,t make us fool ,for God sake end ur dharna , this nation has already been deceived many times by using this old formula ( corruption charges) this has always been a new dictator as a result !
PMLN has been in power since 1985 and still they are unable to take proper measures to avoid floods, make flood gateways, make reservoirs for floods. But these measured if would have been taken for the poor people, would have helped them but you cannot show them off in advertisement.
What benefit is this to PMLN they needed more flyovers and metro buses, still the Lahore city is sinked and people are pining this on Imran Khan.
Had this happened in KPK IK what have been taken to cleaners for that matter.
India released the most flood water in our history, to make this flood situation happen, and our PM thanked him for offering his help for the flood victims, still people of Pakistan are blind on this situation.
Shame on us
Long Live IK
Go Nawaz Go
@Iqbal Hadi Zaidi The only thing Nawaz and Government needs to do is to make sure the protestors stay off the roads and blocking lives of people. Otherwise, Nawaz can continue his government and he has no need to listen to IK what so ever and IK can continue his dharna for another 4 years.
@Concerned: The mentors of PTI and PAT have not been exposed only the go-between has been.
Imran Khan can do just one thing and that is abusing other politicians. I think he has nothing to do that is why he is continuously busy in Dharna. Entire PTI in Pakistan has nothing to do. All are busy in Dharna.
Who has answer?? PM Nawaz right hand Nisar, Interior Minister has used his police force injuring and killing protestors of dharna but still Imran did not end dharna and it is not going to end so soon unless PM Nawaz resigns which he refuses in any case. I am clueless since neither Imran is giving in nor PM Nawaz is in receptive mood therefore I request the readers to please enlighten me how to solve this riddle. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi
Remote control of PTI and PAT is in the hands of Establishment. Their every step is directed by Establishment.
@Iqbal Hadi Zaidi:
That wasn't witty or clever at all.
Go Imran Go.
@JB I have simply given up putting sense into people over here. Many folks are really acting like they are being paid by PML-N or something for posting such comments in favor of NAWAZ or ZARDARI. I think our fellow country men really don't realize where we stand in the world, Nawaz Sharif and Zardari do not even have the intellectual capacity to speak properly in front of public or hold a live press conference how can they manage the country.
Unfortunately with the existing mindset in Pakistan which is still not opening to change and prefers corruption and baradri system of tried and tested PML-N and PPP instead of logic I think any positive change is difficult to happen.
For those people supporting PML-N and those siding with PTI. This is no longer a question of politics but a question of Morality. Fact of the matter is Punjab Police brutally murdered innocent civilian protestors in Lahore model town and the legal system in Pakistan was so flawed that the greived party could not even file a police complaint...is this democracy ?...I think the Pakistani public has quickly forgotten about Gullu Butt being supported by police on live video camera and Punjab Police firing live ammunition on protestors which was shown on media outlets..
Sure I support democracy but not PML-N and PPP type democracy which is based on violence. For the benefit of the country it is best if these two leading corrupt parties are no longer functioning.
SMQ says that talks are moving forward. So have PTI and PAT mentors about to give up?
"we been deprived of an important programme for the economic growth of the country and we will have to start all over again.” – Nawaz sharif.
With all the commentary of late, it appears that the period from Aug 14 2014 till today were especially designated by the Quaide-e-azam for economic development hence all the progress and development that was to take place over the past 67 years was instead deferred to this 4 week period. And now thanks to PTI, Pakistan may never progress again. See you middle-class fools - this was your only shot at development, and you wasted it.
I personally think it is time to press Ignore button for Government and stop negotiating with PTI. Government should start working on the 5 of 6 demands of PTI regardless of what PTI thinks now. All protestors should be forced away from areas where public life and government work takes places and let these protestors protest for next 4 years.
@M Saleem Chaudhry Which statements of Afzal will you believe, the one now or one before. Sorry but what Afzal is saying is no proof and is not even admissible in court. It is an opinion, that too, a flip flop opinion that shifts from what he said before after his JOB EXTENSION was denied. See any court in world will see this as a rant and dismiss it.
I am baffled at the average literacy rate of PTI followers. No rhyme and reason and no logic but continue to insist on things that you are incapable or unable to prove.
As for economic system, the only reengineering we need is Stability. The economy is stale and the only way to fix is at macro economic reforms, infrastructure development that generates jobs and movement of money.
@YOUTH: Try listening to NS speech then. Great value!
GO NAWAZ GO. All these people criticizing IK have one thing common they do not know what democracy is, it is suppose to deliver to most people. These people are very short sighted, for the last 6 summers shahbaz sharif goes out puts his long boots and stands in flood water for photo op. Really, is that all you are capable of. Democracy starts with election and if election keep producing people like these then the system of democracy is broken.
@Saleem: What do you mean? If elections were rigged then re-hold elections again with clean transperancy so that true representation of people come into govt not the crooks.
I see a lot of comments (most likely from corrupt parties's supporters or people who have no clue) about the reputation of Pakistan. Do you have any clues of how our beloved country is looked at around the world? Not because of Imran Khan & Tahir-Ul-Qadri sit-ins, but because of the corrupt leaders. By just listening to what these two and the corrupt parliamentarians say, a person in a stable state of mind and little common sense can tell that these two are the sincere ones; especially Imran Khan.
@H. Khan: Hi which national boundaries? this person is hungry for power, he has destroyed entire party to be an agent / puppets of agencies and trying to make short cut. He doesn't understand that he is being used by agenices for their agenda, how he can be a leader? he is nothing only using naunahals for his own purposes and put on stake the entire country, economy, reputation of state and even existence of state by joining hands with anti state forces... He is an agent of jews coupled with TUQ!
Khan Sb forgot that Pakistani nation is not habitual of watching TEST MATCHES!
Listening Imran's speech is wastage of time.
@Saleem: a typical PML N and Mian brothers way of doing things. Made a hired 'sahafi' write the comment and then assign as many party touts as possible with email addresses to recommend. You can't change Nawaz nath.
Someone who is elected as Prime Minister on the basis of bogus votes is appropriate but IK's demand are illegitimate. How it can be possible ? You have to keep bias aside before commenting on it . IK is also equal citizen as Nawaz Sharif, he has a right to protest and ask for inquiry. Even in our army if someone found in illegitimate activity that person has to resign first and face the inquiry.
@ all NS supporters.... Not sure why you wish to remain as slaves but the country has moved on. No one is asking questions on model town incident, no one is questioning the merit of one family members controlling key positions in the country. No questions on the efficiency, wrong decisions, debt taken by this government? I am not a die heart fan of IK but i don't think anyone can have doubt on his honestly and committment to Pakistan. His way of protest may not be the best but can anyone say his demands are incorrect??
You still need evidence on the rigging??? If the government decides to introduce electoral reforms for the next elections this will be a victory for the people irrespective of whether IK comes out as a winner or not. Atleast he has created public interest in the politics? Tell me when was the last time we paid interest to so many NA sessions before the sit-ins? COME WHAT MAY, PEOPLE WILL NOW ASK QUESTIONS TO ALL THEIR PARTY LEADERS WHICH IS BRILLIANT FOR THE COUNTRY.
I shall humbly request IK and Qadri to call off his sit in. It is causing huge losses to country's economy. It is time to Concentrate on Flood Affectees and IDPs.
IK can go to parliament floor and negotiate with other parties.
You can not bring change in system without sitting on negotiating table.
Our ego should be for the sake of Pakistan.
I don't listen Imran's speeches any more. There is nothing new in his speeches except abuses and blames on others. No hope from this Master of U Turn.
Imran Khan is not sincere with Pakistan. he is only sincere with himself. He is a selfish person. Pakistan is not his priority.
khan saab speaking like that he only elected to MNA without rigging all others elected are bogus that is the real problem now.
So one more blame. I am fed up from this mad man. Imran, where is the evidence?
@Aschraful Makhlooq: Fully agree with your comments. There were many PM hopefuls during the recent elections in India but nobody behaved so desperately and immaturely after the outcome of the elections. Politics is a game of patience and perseverance and there are no quick fix methods to occupy the top post.
Rigging has occurred. No doubt. But the following these questions beg an answer;
1=Was it part of grand conspiracy between NS , former CJP, former COAS , Fakhru bhai and najam Sethi ? 2- How was it actually carried out in the presence of PTI polling agents ? Were they part of the consipray also ? 3- Publishing and distributuion of ballot parers was army responsibility, so the conspiracy was filtered down from chief to every soldier down the chain ?. 4- Was the quatum of rigging big enough in favour of PMLN and agaianst PTI that without it, PTI would have actually won?
The above should be the terms of reference of the judicial commesion. But PTI supporters are hereby informed that their negotiations committee is not demanding any of above because they know that it is not true. Instead , the pressure are being increased for Govt to quit by unfair means. Shame on meand others who voted for PTI.
@Saleem: You are correct in saying "Enough is enough", rigged elections means the current Government set up is illegal so how do you expect a good from people who enter Government illegally. Definitely they will go illegal. Do you expect a good product from bad people.
This man has gone mad best place for him to put in mental hospital.
@Saleem So you are actually willing to support liars and cheats in your parliament...again?? IK is the only person who is actually fighting for a better Pakistan. And mind you, a revolution does not come in one day or week of sit ins. Tell me something, do you think a true and fair audit of elections can be done while being supervised by the very people who rigged the elections in the first place? Don't you think that person would do everything in his power to prove the elections were not rigged? And the parliamentarians have admitted IN THE PARLIAMENT that there was rigging! What more proof do you want? It is quite simple, if you stay quiet, these 'leaders' of yours have already robbed the country and are continuing to do so. The visit of the Chinese president with some 'investments' are not investments. These are loans @ 7-8% interest; way more than what you get from the World Bank. Open you eyes! Please for the love of God! You are willing to give NS a THIRD chance! Just go through his financial history! You will know how much he has gained and is gaining while in office.
Sometimes it seems that Imran Khan has lost his mental level and temper and shows childish attitude because he gives nonsensical and baseless statements against the government officials without any solid evidences and sometimes announces civil disobedience movement because civil disobedience movement is run against the state not against the few years' democratic setup.At least now Imran Khan has to leave this bad habit and immaturity and has to show wisdom,tolerance and patience because politics can never be run with aggressive and sentimental feelings and attitude...
What is Mr Imran Khan trying to do; destroy the political fabric of Pakistan. Is he trying to set baluchistan on fire? I feel Mr Imran Khan is crossing all boundaries of nationhood
@Saleem: Imran Khan is being paid by Mush for his dharna. Thats why he his totally mum over the wide spread rigging carried out by his financers in the 2002 elections, not only 2002 but also the 1986, and 1964 elections. This is called hypocrisy and double facedness.
Imran Khan should realize the country has moved on from his dharna. Even the TV ratings have crashed through the floor; no one has the patience or the interest anymore for his tirades. He should go home now and lick his wounds for a couple years. Or better, focus on delivering in KPK.
South-Asians are not made for revolutions!
Actually, Saleem bhai, you don't have any external enemies whatsoever. Just decades of compounded bad decisions, poor leadership, and false indoctrination. No one wants to invade Pakistan - not back when, not now.
D H A R N ADays turns into weeks and continues dharna Having said so it is question of jeena / marna And Imran+Qadri oppose PM say do not darna Return must not protestors premature wagarna Nawaz will quit or never so insist for his utarna Allah knows who wins who loses in this dharna Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / zaidiformerdiplomat@hotmail.com
IK is the worst thing that has happened to this country and his followers will realize it only IF they become psychologically mature at some stage in their lives, note I did not say WHEN they will become psychologically mature, as for anyone to be unable to see the narcissism of this whole gang of PTI leaders shows very significant cognitive impairment and may interfere with their sophistication process with time.
The details of rigging as listed by insider like Afzal Khan, deputy secretary Election commission and session Judge Ghulam Hussain, Returning office apart from the specific details of the sample seats in Lahore which show shameless rigging, what other proofs these three commenters are looking for. The leaders of all the key political parties said right in the parliament that extensive rigging did take place. Just read enlightening brief of Dr.Farrukh Saleem which concludes with the following two elements. 1. With out reengineering election system we are going nowhere. 2. We are going nowhere with out reengineering the economic system.
@ Saleem, Dont worry about these sit ins, they are a cleansing process for PK. The real problem for the economy is the bond issue which PK has to pay around 8% on!! China cannot and will not do anything about that. Look at Nawaz's performance before, total failure, this time around, protest or no protest, it will all come to failure with this party leading the country. GO NAWAZ GO!
It is ridiculous to keep making accusations without providing any proof or evidence. Why can't IK bring evidence before the judicial commission? Probably because he has none that is probably why he keeps repeating his accusations and believes that if repeated incessantly people will begin to believe him but only the gullible can be misled.
PTI party engagements more important than people affected by rain? Not a good look IK!
Enough is enough. Yes, there was rigging in 2013 election but it was lot less than any earlier election. That, however, doesn't justify rigging nor does politics of azadi and inqilab sit-ins. These sit-ins have causing tremendous damage to economy and reputation of country. Pakistan has become a joke with so many dignitaries cancelling their visits, especially president of China. It seems like we have enemies from within who are trying to cripple the nation. We don't need any more external enemies while they are attacking institutions of the state. These fools don't realize that state institutions belong to people of Pakistan and not to a particular person.
There must be underlining rules for any sit-ins - No disruption to people's lives or property. Parliament must pass a resolution that no blockage or roads, nor their palatial containers will be allowed on roads. People should be free to protest on sides of roads without interfering lives of commoner. Please stop giving this non-sense that this happens in the west or that. Nothing of this sort is allowed in any western country, and no one tolerate any disruption in lives of people. Army must be called in to get rid of all these hoodlums.
Has Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri been serious in getting reform done then they sould have let their ego of Nawaz Sharif resignation go and sit on the table to have certain demands met. Imran Khan should have asked to chair parliamentary committee on Electoral Reforms so that he could have made a difference in next election. He should have asked to reduce tenure of government to four years, Beside rhetoric, he should have given names of PML (N) political appointees, starting with Maryam Nawaz and Hamaza Sharif, to be removed from any political post. He should have asked to put teeth in laws that all posting must be on merit. Alas, he is hung up on one thing - resignation of Nawaz Sharif.
We all have to move forward with our lives. Finish these sit-ins and do something for the country beside yourself! If you can't do that then please go away to UK or Canada, and do your sit-in in those countries and see what happens to you.