Islamabad: Pakistan’s political crisis deepened on Thursday as Imran Khan called off just-opened talks with the government, renewing his demand for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resign.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader warned against a crackdown on his party workers who are staging a sit-in close to the parliament in Islamabad.
“The talks have ended; our first priority is that Nawaz Sharif step down,” Imran said while addressing the demonstrating crowd.
The first contact between government ministers, the PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT — People’s Movement) of religious scholar Tahirul Qadri took place overnight after prompting by the powerful military to resolve the impasse through dialogue in the national interest.
Khan said the government has replaced the inspector-general of police in the capital because his predecessor was unwilling to use force against peaceful demonstrators without a written order.
Khan warned the new head of police of strong reprisals if a crackdown was launched and anyone was hurt in the PTI crowd, which he said has been absolutely peaceful since the sit-in began a week ago.
The former cricket hero spoke as the National Assembly held a session attended also by the prime minister and passed a resolution rejecting the resignation demand.
The resolution said the assembly would defend the supremacy of the constitution and uphold the sovereignty of the parliament. The number of lawmakers present at the session was ow.
The PTI leader called upon people not to be deterred by blockades and other obstructive tactics and join the sit-in at this “defining moment” in the country’s history.
“Peaceful protest against huge rigging in 2013 elections is our democratic right,” the PTI leader said, appealing to the Supreme Court to order removal of containers placed across roads in Islamabad and at all entry points of the city.
Qadri also addressed PAT workers holding the sit-in close to his supporters in the red zone, accusing authorities of blocking food and water supplies and even sun shelters for the protesters including a large number of women and children.
The PTI and PAT leaders vowed that the sit-in would continue until Sharif quits.
During the National Assembly session, lawmakers from different parties lashed out at Imran and Qadri, accusing them of trying impose unconstitutional agendas.
Speaking to reporters, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said no one could be allowed to take parliament and other national institutions hostage.
“Attempts to derail democracy amount to enmity with the country,” Rafique said.
The minister said the government had a flexible approach but the other side should also reciprocate in order to sort out issues through dialogue.
Separately, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid rejected claims that a crackdown was in the offing and pointed out that the government had all along shown patience and restraint.
As tensions kept rising, the workers of ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) reportedly attacks house of PTI vice-chairman Shah Mahmoud Qureshi in the city of Mulytan in Punjab province.
On August 14, PML-N loyalists reportedly stoned Imran’s convoy as it passed through the city of Gujranwala, en route to Islamabad.
