Imran Khan addresses his supporters in Islamabad on Sunday. (PTI)
Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Imran Khan and cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri on Sunday made it clear that they are not going to call off the ongoing protests to demand the ouster of Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif. The leaders, who have spearheaded massive protests in capital Islamabad for days, claim the election that swept Mr Sharif to power in 2013 was rigged.
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Mr Khan, a cricketer-turned-politician, told his supporters, "This match is not complete yet but I can tell you all that you have won this already". "Go out and fight for your freedom. It is time to come out, hit the streets and register your protest," he added. (Pakistan PM Dismisses Political Crisis as 'Tiny Storm')
Mr Khan also stated that he will file a "FIR against Nawaz Sharif and (his brother, Punjab chief minister) Shahbaz Sharif on Monday. Nawaz Sharif cannot scare us".
Mr Sharif, who chaired a high-level meeting at the Prime Minister's House, appealed to the protesters to restart negotiations with the government. He has also convened a joint session of Parliament on Tuesday to discuss the issue. (Tahir-ul-Qadri Issues 24-Hour Deadline For Nawaz Sharif to Resign)
Army Chief General Raheel Sharif held a meeting of Corps Commanders on Sunday evening to discuss matters related to internal security. "Further use of force will only aggravate the problem. The situation should be resolved politically without wasting any time and without recourse to violent means," stated a press release by the army. (As Pakistan Protests Escalate, Imran Khan Declares: 'Will Not Leave Till Sharif Resigns')
As his supporters chanted, 'Go Nawaz, go", Mr Qadri, who addressed his supporters near the PM's residence in Islamabad on Sunday evening, said, "I appreciate your bravery for putting up such a fight". He also accused the authorities of "indulging overnight in brutality against my daughters, sons and children".
Two people have been killed and more than 400 injured in clashes on Saturday night between Pakistan police and thousands of protesters, who staged a march to PM Sharif's residence and even managed to enter the Parliament building. (Pakistan Government Reaches Out to Protesters After Two Die in Clashes)
But Javed Hashmi, the president of PTI, later claimed Mr Khan had gone against the party's decision. "Imran violated the party's decision. Protesters were not to march to PM house. This will take Pakistan to martial law," said Mr Hashmi. He, along with three other leaders, was later expelled by Mr Khan. (Pakistani Opposition Clashes with the Police)
Anti-government demonstrators also attacked the office of Pakistan's leading TV channel Geo News in Islamabad with stones, damaging the building. The staff managed to escape from the scene.
Pakistan's government has said it is trying to reopen talks with opposition groups to bring the protests under control. "They wanted their demands to be met at gunpoint but still, our doors are open for talks," Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid was quoted by Geo News channel as saying. (Imran Khan Refuses to End Protest, 300 Injured in Overnight Clashes)
Despite the fortnight-long protests, the government has struck a defiant note, issuing a statement saying that PM Sharif would not be stepping down.
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