Islamabad: Islamic scholar and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT-People’s Movement) firebrand leader Tahirul Qadri gave a 48-hour ultimatum to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resign and warned if he did not he would be responsible for the consequences.
He was addressing party workers and supporters staging a sit-in in front the parliament building in Islamabad’s high-security ‘red zone’ in tandem with similar protest by supporters of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI-Justice Movement).
It was the 12th day of the sit-ins by men, women and children who braved hot weather, recurring rainfall, shortage of food and water to remain at the site, chanting “Go Nawaz Go” during addresses by their respective leaders.
“Our battle for the upliftment of the poor, deprived and oppressed people and their rights is now entering the last decisive phase,” said Qadri, who says he is committed to a revolution to establish an egalitarian system based on Islamic principles.
Waving a white sheet he said, “This is my shroud I have purchased for myself in case I am martyred” in the final phase of the struggle to be launched on Wednesday after the expiry of the two-day ultimatum.
Qadri called on people not to stay at homes but come forward and join the final phase of the struggle.
He did not divulge what action he would order his supporters to take in the post-ultimatum period, but his warning indicated he may command his supporters to march on the parliament or nearby official residence of the prime minister.
Approaches to the key buildings have been blocked by placing containers and thousads of police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in the sensitive zone, while the army is guarding key buildings termed “symbols of the State.”
Separately, Imran Khan said in an adress to the PTI crowd that that the party’s sit-in would continue till Sharif steps down — a demand strongly rebuffed by ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), which has mustered support from other parliamentary parties.
Amid soaring tension, a controversy raged over a claim by former senior official of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that the 2013 eletion was massively rigged.
Mohammad Afzal Khan, who retired from the post of additional secretary, ECP, after the elections, made the allegation on a local television channel late on Sunday night, creating a stir.
The former official particuarly blamed one of the four members of the ECP representing Punjab province, Justice Riaz Kiani, who rejected Afzal Khan’s claims and told a news conference he may seek a judcial investigation into the allegations.
The PTI and PAT leaders said Sharif had no choice but to resign after the revelations by the former ECP official.
In another development, the Supreme Court directed the protesting parties to vacate the Constitution Avenue, where the apex court and other key establishments are located.
A three-judge bench issued the directive while hearing a petition related to the political crisis.
PML-N stepped up its campaign to counter the PTI-PAT offensive and held rallies in different cities in a display of street power, raising fears that the situation could flare into violence in the days ahead.
The ruling party workers rallied in Lahore, capital of Punjab, the garrison city of Rawalpini adjacent to Islamabad and some other cities, shouting slogans against the leaders of PTI and PAT.
