With their deadlines expiring, the rallies led by Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Isnaf (PTI) marched into the Red Zone and set up camp in front of the Parliament House, even as the government, opposition members and the army urging all stakeholders to end the impasse via talks.
Massive crowds led by the PAT and PTI respectively removed containers blocking their path and marched down Attaturk Avenue and onto Constitution Avenue in the Red Zone, passing the Supreme Court and parking themselves in front of the Parliament House.
Before marching on, however, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf [PTI] gave Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif till Wednesday to step down, otherwise they would march onto the PM House.
“We will march towards the PM House if Nawaz Sharif does not resign till tomorrow [Wednesday],” said PTI chief Imran Khan told his supporters as they marched towards the Parliament House.
The government has not resisted the marchers but has deputed army at sensitive installations and buildings in the Red Zone.
PAT, PTI protesters march into the Red Zone early on Wednesday, read our coverage of march here.
Read our coverage of PTI’s Azadi March and the Inqalab March here.
For our coverage of the last two days’ sit-ins, visit here.
You can read the entire transcript of M Ziauddin’s interaction with us here.
Readers sent their questions through Twitter (@etribune) by adding the hashtag #AskTribune, and through the comments section of our live updates with the same hashtag.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this interactive session do not necessarily reflect the views of The Express Tribune.
August 20, 2:59am
We will not leave until National Government is formed, says PAT chief.
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August 20, 2:58am
Qadri urges his supporters not to enter into Prime Minister Secretariat, President House, Parliament House.
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August 20, 2:55am
We will introduce political, judicial, political and reforms, says Qadri.
And these reforms can not be implemented, until Shahbaz and Nawaz resigns, says Qadri.
To implement all these reforms, a national government will formed, says Qadri.
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August 20, 2:52am
We will end corruption and corrupt leaders will be kicked out of democratic system, Qadri announces.
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August 20, 2:45am
I congratulate Islamabad police, FC and Rangers personnel as protesters arrived in front of the Parliament House without incident, says Qadri.
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August 20, 2:42am
PAT chief says despite the court’s order no FIR of the victims of Model Town has been registered.
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August 20, 2:38am
The issue was not about removing barriers, it was all about containing the revolution, Qadri claims.
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August 20, 2:36am
If government wanted to remove barricades near Minhajul Quran, they should have sent the relevant officer, says PAT chief.
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August 20, 2:35am
Qadri says political disagreements with the PAT should have been solved through political means.
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August 20, 2:30am
Nawaz ordered the attack on the same house where he used to come with his father in 1980’s, says Qadri.
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August 20, 2:27am
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had ordered the killing of 14 Pat workkers, but he never does anything without the permission of his elder brother and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, PAT chief alleges.
The decision to launch operation was decided a day earlier in a meeting attended by different provincial and federal agencies.
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August 20, 2:25am
Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri addressing the rally in front of the Parliament.
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Tahirul Qadri’s charter of demands
