Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met the powerful army chief on Tuesday, a source in his administration said, as a political deadlock over mass protests for the government’s resignation showed no signs of resolution. Pakistan has been gripped by peaceful opposition protests demanding Sharif’s resignation this month, with thousands of demonstrators camped outside parliament in a country that has experienced a succession of military coups.
Protesters led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and firebrand cleric Tahir ul-Qadri have vowed to occupy the capital, Islamabad, until Sharif resigns – a demand the premier has rejected.
Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday ordered filing of an FIR against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his party leaders over an incident of violence in Lahore, prompting cleric Tahir-ul Qadri to demand those found responsible be hanged.
At least 11 people were killed and dozens injured in a clash between police and Qadri’s Pakistan Awami League (PAT) in Lahore’s Model Town area, after a police party tried to remove barriers around Qadri’s house and the Minhajul Quran Secretariat.
The Judicial Tribunal constituted to probe the tragedy had held Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who is the brother of Nawaz Sharif, and the Punjab government responsible for it, Dawn reported.