The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) began talks with the government, separately, on Wednesday, in an attempt to break out of the current impasse.
Both Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri, however, remain adamant that the prime minister first resign.
The rallies led by the two party chiefs have set up camp outside Parliament House in the capital’s Red Zone area, where the army has been deployed.
The army, meanwhile, released a statement last Tuesday night, urging meaningful negotiations and vowing to protect State symbols.
Earlier, PAT, PTI protesters march into the Red Zone three days after their sit-ins began near Aabpara Chowk, read our coverage of march here.
For our coverage of the sit-ins on August 20 and 21, visit here.
Read our coverage of PTI’s Azadi March and the Inqilab March here.
August 22, 4:325pm
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif invites former president Asif Ali Zardari for lunch tomorrow, Express News reports.
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August 22, 3:50pm
Express News screengrab of PTI leaders Arif Alvi, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Asad Umer and Shireen Mazari talking to the media after submitting PTI lawmakers’ resignations.
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August 22, 3:38pm
Former president Asif Ali Zardari calls JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman to discuss the current political scenario, Express News reports.
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August 22, 3:34pm
Express News screengrab of Imran Khan during the core committee meeting.
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August 22, 3:32pm
PTI core committee meeting starts in Imran Khan’s container, Express News reports.
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August 22, 3:30pm
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq’s secretary Muhammad Riaz receives PTI lawmakers’ resignations on behalf of the speaker, Express News reports.
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August 22, 3:12pm
Talking to the media in Karachi, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Rehman Malik says that the responsibility lies on the government to resolve the current political deadlock.
Read here for the full story.
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August 22, 2:55pm
Shah Mehmood Qureshi, along with PTI lawmakers Arif Alvi, Asad Umer and Shireen Mazari arrive at Parliament House to submit their resignations.
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August 22, 2:42pm
Meanwhile, school holidays in Islamabad have been further extended till September 1, Express News reports.
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August 22, 2:40pm
PTI vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi says that he is going to submit the PTI lawmakers’ resignations to speaker of the National Assembly before the party’s core-committee meeting, Express News reports.
Initially, PTI lawmakers had announced that they were going to resign from the National Assembly on August 18.
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August 22, 2:30pm
Talking to Express News, PTI president Javed Hashmi says that the government’s action of blocking roads is an attempt to cut off communications with the sit-in – not a security measure.
Reacting to Khawaja Asif’s earlier comments, Hashmi says, “Yes, the environment isn’t feasible, but the government created has created these conditions.”
Further, Hashmi says that the party’s call for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation is constitutional, maintaining that it is still their first condition of negotiations.
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August 22, 2:05pm
Despite signalling the government’s willingness to engage with the PTI, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif expresses dismay over the current state of negotiations between the two parties.
“The environment to negotiate has still not been established,” the defence minister says speaking to Express News.
Further, Asif dismisses calls for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation as PTI’s first condition. “Issues that can be solved immediately should be addressed first.”
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August 22, 1:30pm
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar will hold a press conference at 6pm today, Express News reports.
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August 22, 1:10pm
The Senate unanimously adopted a resolution favouring the supremacy of the constitution and Parliament.
Read here for the full story.
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August 22, 11:55am
Meanwhile, Section 144 has been imposed in Multan for two days following PTI chairman Imran Khan’s announcement to stage country-wide sit-ins.
Read here for the full story.
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August 22, 11:15am
PTI chairman Imran Khan on Friday submitted a written reply to the Supreme Court requesting the apex court to direct the government to remove containers that are currently sealing off the capital.
Read here for the full story.
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August 22, 01:15am
PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri while addressing his supporters at D-Chowk announces that victory is almost within their grasp.
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August 22, 12:30am
Imran Khan tells Express News anchor Moeed Pirzada that even he wants a resolution to the current political impasse. And if the government shows seriousness, PTI will be willing to talk.
On the support the prime minister had received from parties in the National Assembly, the PTI chief, who along with the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid is the only mainstream political party protesting in D-chowk, said that they were afraid. “All of these parties who are supporting Nawaz Sharif, they are only concerned about their seats. They are afraid that if there is a re-election, they will not be able to return to the assemblies.”
Asked about a potential solution that former president Asif Ali Zardari may present, Imran says it remains to be seen what is Zardari’s proposed solution to the current impasse. “Even I want a solution to the impasse. If he [Zardari] can find a solution, then most welcome.”
Asked if would be willing to be lenient on any of his six demands, Imran Khan said that without two of the demands they could not progress. “Without two things, we are not willing to move forward. Till those who rigged elections are not punished, fresh elections cannot be held. And that cannot be done till Nawaz resigns.”
On his remark about the umpire, Imran Khan said that the people were the umpire.
About the suspension of talks, the PTI chief alleged that the government had started arresting PTI supporters, and had started closing off routes by re-installing containers around Islamabad. Further claiming that they had a right to protest peacefully and that they had peacefully protested so far but the government had brought Islamabad to a standstill by installing containers. “If they [govt] show seriousness, then we are willing to talk today.”
Asked about the Army’s statement, Imran Khan told Pirzada that he was a politician and that he does not know what the army is saying. “I do not know what the military is saying. I am a politician and I am exercising my democratic right.”
Asked if Imran Khan had also met US Ambassador like his party’s Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi did, Imran Khan said he had not met the American diplomat. Asked what was talked about in the meeting, the PTI chief said that they presented their stance to the Richard Olson.