Clashes resume between protesters and police in Islamabad
September 01, 2014
Television images showed protesters pelting police with stones and police using baton charge and tear gas to disperse the angry crowd.
Earlier on Monday, protesters stormed the Pakistan Television (PTV) building leading to the transmission of PTV News and PTV World being suspended. The army was called in to clear the building following which transmission resumed.
Tension continues to grip Islamabad after violence broke out on Saturday night when supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri marched towards the PM House using cranes to remove barricades.
Protesters several of whom are armed with batons and slingshots have clashed with police even breaking down a fence outside Parliament late Saturday.
Background
Protests began with a march from Lahore on August 14 which reached Islamabad the next day. Despite calls by Khan and Qadri for millions to join, crowds never exceeding the tens of thousands. Both Khan and Qadri stayed overnight at the protests, spending most of their time in the containers.
The decision to march to the PM House was taken after talks between the government, PTI and PAT failed to end the deadlock over the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PTI chairman Imran Khan has said that an independent probe of rigging in the 2013 general elections cannot be held if Nawaz Sharif remains prime minister. Khan has called for Nawaz Sharif to step down until the proposed judicial commission completes its probe. Government and the majority of opposition parties have dismissed Khan’s demand for the prime minister’s removal.
PM, COAS agree on political, constitutional solution
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Monday and it was agreed that there needs to be a political and constitutional solution to end the current deadlock.
On Sunday night the Corps Commanders meeting decided that further use of force would only aggravate the situation. The meeting once again reiterated that the situation should be resolved politically without wasting any time and without recourse to violent means.
The ISPR statement on the meeting ended on the note that the army remains committed to playing its part in ensuring security of the state and will never fall short of meeting national aspirations.
Case lodged against Imran, Qadri
A case has been lodged in the Secretariat Police Station against PTI chairman Imran Khan, PAT chief Dr Tahiurl Qadri and others. The case includes terrorism charges, violating the agreement with Islamabad administration and section 144.
SC gives PTI, PAT till Tuesday for possible solution
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has given Pakistan PTI, PAT time till Tuesday to suggest a possible solution to resolving the current political tension. The apex court heard the case pertaining to extra-constitutional steps during which Chief Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk asked if the court could give any advice to resolve the crisis.
Joint session of Parliament on Tuesday
A joint session of parliament has been summoned and will begin at 10:30 AM on Tuesday.
