LAHORE: A high-level huddle chaired by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is underway at his Jati Umra residence in Lahore.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Railways Minister Saad Rafique and Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb are attending the meeting among other key officials and government representatives.
The meeting comes in the middle of an operation against Faizabad sit-in by security officials.
Roughly 8,500 elite police and paramilitary troops in riot gear began clearing the 2,000 or so demonstrators that have occupied the Faizabad interchange for over two weeks, soon after dawn.
The sit-in by the Tehreek-e-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah Pakistan has blocked the main highway used by thousands of commuters since November 6, causing hours-long traffic snarls and enraging commuters.
The protesters are demanding that Law Minister Zahid Hamid should resign over a hastily-abandoned amendment to the oath that election candidates must swear.