Qadri issues 24-hour deadline for Sharif to resign | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Qadri issues 24-hour deadline for Sharif to resign

PTI | By, Islamabad
Aug 30, 2014 12:33 PM IST

Amid Pakistan Army's mediation efforts, protesters have stepped up pressure on the embattled government with cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri setting yet another deadline of 24 hours for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to quit.

Amid Pakistan Army's mediation efforts, protesters have stepped up pressure on the embattled government with cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri setting yet another deadline of 24 hours for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to quit.

HT Image
HT Image

In a late night development, Qadri's camp was visited by a delegation of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI)led by vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who convinced the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief to delay his next move.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Following the meeting, the first direct contact between the two groups since they together started the march on August 14, Qadri set a 24-hour deadline for the Premier to step down.

Qadri has set a number of deadlines since camping outside the Parliament about two weeks ago. After their meeting, Qureshi also addressed the PAT crowd and reiterated his party's request to postpone further action, which the protesters did not agree to.

At this, Qadri came out of his container and asked his followers to give their assent to the PTI proposal. He said PAT and PTI had a number of views in common and shared the same struggle, cautioning supporters that the government intended to create a split between the two.

Meanwhile, in his late night address, Khan announced that his party would expand their sit-in to rallies in Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad and Multan.

Qadri asked his supporters to join Khan's protests. Speaking to his supporters from atop his container outside the Parliament, Khan said he would announce his next step on Sunday.

Khan reiterated that the proposed judicial commission to investigate electoral rigging in the 2013 polls would be unable to probe the matter fully if Sharif remained the Prime Minister.

The developments came after direct talks between the government and protesters failed to break the deadlock yesterday. The army has been active behind the scenes to broker a deal after Qadri and Khan met army chief General Raheel Sharif on Thursday night, sources said.

The Sharif-led government has announced to accept all electoral reform-related demands but has rejected the demand asking for the Prime Minister's resignation.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On