ISLAMABAD-
Albeit a deadlock on the issue of prime minister’s resignation, ice has finally started to melt as the dialogue process between the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) government, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) formally began Wednesday.
The National Assembly (NA) on Wednesday was unanimous in defending the sanctity of the parliament and constitution and reposed confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Speaking in the National Assembly on a motion moved to discuss the political situation in the country, legislators from the treasury and opposition benches strongly condemned the “adventures” of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Chairman Dr Tahirul Qadri.
On Pakistan’s 68th Independence Day, anti-government drives by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) headed towards Islamabad to protest against alleged electoral rigging, calling for a resignation by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and introduction of electoral reforms.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan announced a civil disobedience movement against the “corrupt and incompetent” federal government on Sunday and stepping up pressure on the government, PTI also resigned from its seats in the National Assembly, and provincial assemblies in Punjab and Sindh.
The decision of winding up its government in Khyber Pakhtukhwa province pending until consultations with its coalition partners.
The country’s powerful military has urged both the government and the protesting parties to resolve their issues through dialogue in “the best interest of the country”.
All stories on Azadi March and Inquilab March since their inception on August 14 can be found here and here, respectively.
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Below are the updates for Thursday’s happenings , Day 8 of the protest rallies in Islamabad:
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5:40 PM: Altaf stresses to maintain peace
Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has urged the government and protestors to remain peaceful and avoid any clash.
5:10 PM: Take back your words, Imran tells US
Khan termed the US state department stance on political situation in Pakistan as an interference in domestic affairs of PAkistan and urged US to take back the statement.
He said that the US would never had accepted its own elections if they were rigged.
4:00 PM: Information Minister rules out reports of crackdown
Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid denied reports of a planned crackdown on PTI and PAT protestors.
“If the government wanted to launch crackdown against the protesters in Islamabad, it would have been done long ago,” he said.
3: 20 PM: Imran addresses crowd
Khan says that the IG was sacked for not accepting the orders to crackdown on protestors.
Responding to reports of a possible crackdown on PTI workers, Khan challenged the police to “come and hit me with the first bullet”.
He said that today he is addressing not only the PTI supporters but the entire nation, including police and army.
“My dear Pakistanis! Today is the day of test for you”, he said.
” If you succeed in today’s test none can stop formation of new Pakistan”, he said directing the supporters to “get rid of your fear if you want independence.”
PTI Chief Imran Khan warned the government against bloodshed, resorting to threats and called on his supporters to widen the civil obedience across the country.
He said that he would not leave protesting until PM Sharif resigns, saying that he would stay in Red Zone as long as he lives.
Screen grab of Khan addressing crowd on Thursday
He directed his workers to remove containers from the Red Zone.
He claimed that two lakh supporters would join him in Islamabad.
Calling out PM Sharif threatingly, Khan said that he will not be spared and his supporters will take back all the ‘looted’ money from him.
He also called out the interior secretary and new IG Khalid Khattak, threatning to ‘punch’ them and take them to jail if any of his party supporters were hurt.
3:10 PM: Qadri says govt not allowing food, shelter access to protestors
PAT chief Dr. Qadri addressed the crowd and alleged that the government has issued a notification for not providing tents to the marchers.
“Whoever is providing us tents is being arrested by the government,” he said.
He went on to stated that the government has set the worst example of unconstitutional and undemocratic behaviour by denying facilities of food, water and shelter to the peaceful protestors.
Qadri also claimed that a PATVP r Muhammad Afzal, was killed in Gujranwala on Thursday.
Police have shot and martyred Vice President of Pakistan Awami Tehreek, Gujranwala Mohammad Afzal, today at 2 pm. #RevolutionWithDrQadri
— PAT Official PK (@PATofficialPK) August 21, 2014
3:10 PM: No compromise: says Saad Rafique
Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, while talking to media, said that there would be no compromise over supremacy of parliament and the protestors would not be allowed to harm constitution and parliament.
“If we compromise, no government will complete tenure in the future”, he said.
3:00 PM: IG Islamabad sacked
Inspector General Police Islamabad Aftab Cheema was removed from his post.
Federal Interior Ministry issued a notification that Additional IG Khalid Khattak has been given the additional charge of IG Islamabad in place of Cheema.
According to PTI senior leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Cheema was removed for refusing to launch a crackdown on sit-in participants.
IG Islamabad has been removed as part of govt’s strategy to do crackdown on PTI – @SMQureshiPTI
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 21, 2014
2:40 PM: PTI suspends talks with govt
PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi announced a suspension of dialogue with the government’s negotiating committee, reported a local news channel.
Screen grab of S M Qureshi talking to media
Qureshi was quoted saying the PTI is suspending talks for the time being as the government is planning a crackdown on PTI sit-in participants.
He said that the party will shortly be holding a press conference to explain the causes for talks’ suspension.
PTI has suspended dialogue process with the government, decision informed to Governor Punjab, says @SMQureshiPTI #AzadiSquare
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 21, 2014
Police has begun crackdown on PTI workers and is again blocking roads in Islamabad. @SMQureshiPTI
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 21, 2014
2:03 PM: PTI rejects US stance
US has no business interfering in r internal political dynamics. It is condemnable. US shd stop issuing advice & supportive statements 4 NS!
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) August 21, 2014
2:00 PM: NA adopts resolution for supremacy of constitution
The National Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the supremacy of constitution and democracy.
The resolution, tabled by Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai, stated that the parliament completely rejects unconstitutional measures, adding that the demand for PM’s resignation is unconstitutional.
12:00 PM: Lawyers on strike across country
On the call of Pakistan Bar Council and Supreme Court Bar Association called lawyers across Pakistan are observing a strike to protest against PTI and PAT protest rallies in Islamabad, a private news channel reported.
The legal fraternity boycotted court proceedings in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Hyderabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad, Sukkur, Gujranwala and other cities.
The lawyers PTI and PAT leaders to hold dialogue with the government and avoid derailment of democracy and vowed to resist any unconstitutional step.
Imran Khan’s call for civil disobedience in Pakistan was also highly condemned by the lawyers who demanded the Supreme Court to take action against him.
11:40AM: US backs Nawaz Sharif
Deputy spokesperson for US State Department has termed the demand of resignation from PM Sharif ‘unconstitutional’ adding that the PM was elected through an electoral process to serve a five-year term in Pakistan.
In a daily briefing at the State Department, Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf, added added that the US govt. will not back any unconstitutional change in Pakistan.
FILE PHOTO
“Obviously, we’re following what’s happening on the ground. Nawaz Sharif was elected and is prime minister. There is a government that was elected in place. So while we’ve called on all sides to refrain from violence, we are monitoring the situation but we will continue working with the Pakistanis. And again, I would caution you from assuming, sort of, where this goes from here. We think there’s a path forward here that’s peaceful. We know there’s a lot of space for political dialogue, but it has to remain peaceful,” she said.
10:40 AM: SC adjourns case till Friday
Supreme Court of Pakistan has sought a written reply from PTI chief Imran Khan as well as issued a notice to PAT chief Dr.Qadri, a private news channel reported.
A five-member larger bench comprising Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja, Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa and Justice Mushir Alam is hearing the case regarding regarding possibility of extra constitutional steps in pretext of the current anti-government drives by PTI and PAT.
During Thursday’s course of hearing, Imran Khan’s counsel Hamid Khan appeared before the bench, whereas no representative from PAT showed up. Upon this, CJP expressed his displeasure and reissued summons to PAT and adjourned the case till Friday.
10:30 AM: PM meets President, will attend NA session
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met with President Mamnoon Hussain at the President House in Islamabad.
He willalso be addressing National Assembly session to take the house into confidence government’s negotiations with protesting PTI and PAT.
what has usa got to do with pakistan internal affairs ?
Look Imran the "Master " has spoken. The resignation of PM is out of the question. You are being asked to eat the humble pie!. The PTI never had a plan B anyway. Bouncers don,t always win matches . There is going to be a lot of soul searching after this.
Islamic Republic Of Pakistan's Peoples are going to take power with power by power Nawaz khousra Broders & CO must go pakistani english zionist seculars must go run away Long Live FREE of Zionists Islamic Republic Of Pakistan
U R INSANE FOULMOUTHER KANJAR ALLHARAAMS ..
AGENDA – BRING BACK ARMY RULE– IMRANKHAN HAD 22 MEETINGS AT HIS HOUSE WITH USA DIPLOMATS -PUKKA – LAST NIGHT ALSO –SAME MEETINGS EVERY NIGHT WHEN IMRANKHAN GOES TO HIS HOUSE FOR WHISKY DINNERS WITH USA DIPLOMATS ..
REPORTS OF USA DIPLOMATS MEETINGS IMRANKHAN AT HIS HOUSE DINNERS EVERY NIGHT — CONFIRMED BY SHAHMEHMOOD QURESHI HIMSELF .-WHO HAS HAD MEETING WITH AMBASSADORS OF USA UK FRANCE SAUDIE YESTERDAY AND DAY BEFORE ..
WHATS GOING ON ????
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