Pakistan’s Supreme Court yesterday ordered opposition leader Imran Khan and cleric Tahir ul-Qadri to appear in court the following day over protests in the capital designed to force the prime minister’s resignation.
“We would like to give notice to all respondents for tomorrow,” Chief Justice Nasir ul-Mulk said in response to a petition filed against cricketer-turned-politician Khan and ul-Qadri over their protests.
Both ul-Qadri and Khan want to force Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to step down. Ul-Qadri says he is corrupt and Khan says he rigged last year’s elections.
Photo: EPA
Ul-Qadri’s supporters blockaded parliament yesterday in response to calls from their leader not to allow anyone in or out.
The parliament met yesterday, attended by Sharif, despite the thousands of protesters gathered outside. Lawmakers were later able to leave through a back entrance
Khan and ul-Qadri had led their respective followers in a late-night march on the parliament building — moving past shipping container barricades — overnight on Tuesday night.
Despite fears of violence — many protesters were equipped with gas masks and batons — riot police and other security forces looked on without intervening.
Rumors have abounded that elements within the influential military have been behind Khan and ul-Qadri’s moves, though the cleric and the interior minister have adamantly denied this.
On Tuesday, Khan had threatened to break into the prime minister’s official residence if Sharif did not resign, calling on his supporters to gather at 4pm yesterday.
However, ul-Qadri distanced himself from Khan’s call, saying his supporters would maintain a peaceful sit-in until Sharif stepped down.
Early yesterday, the army’s chief spokesman called for dialogue.
“Situation requires patience, wisdom and sagacity from all stakeholders to resolve prevailing impasse through meaningful dialogue in larger national and public interest,” General Asim Bajwa said through a recognized Twitter account.
Ul-Qadri repeated his demand for Sharif to quit and install a “national government,” and ordered his followers to stop lawmakers leaving.
“Block the gates of parliament. Nobody should be able to come out and nobody should be able to go in,” he said.
Military analyst Ayesha Siddiqui said that the situation was very precarious.
“From the military perspective, they have tried and tested Nawaz Sharif a third time and they feel disappointed. Why would they let him be?” she said.
The US, Britain and the EU have all voiced support for Pakistani democracy and urged the feuding sides to negotiate to find a way out of the impasse.
Additional reporting by AFP
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