Don’t lecture me about democracy, Imran tells parliamentarians

Published September 1, 2014
Tahirul Qadri addresses supporters while flanked by Imran Khan in Islamabad September 2, 2014. – Reuters Photo
Tahirul Qadri addresses supporters while flanked by Imran Khan in Islamabad September 2, 2014. – Reuters Photo
Tahirul Qadri and Imran Khan on stage together.
Tahirul Qadri and Imran Khan on stage together.
Tahirul Qadri and Imran Khan on stage together.
Tahirul Qadri and Imran Khan on stage together.
— Screengrab of PM Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar in the Assembly session today
— Screengrab of PM Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar in the Assembly session today
A supporter of chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) political party Imran Khan wears a poster on his head as he listens to his speech a Freedom March in Islamabad. – Photo by Reuters
A supporter of chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) political party Imran Khan wears a poster on his head as he listens to his speech a Freedom March in Islamabad. – Photo by Reuters
Imran Khan addresses supporters during an anti-government protest near the prime minister's residence in Islamabad on September 1, 2014. -AFP Photo
Imran Khan addresses supporters during an anti-government protest near the prime minister's residence in Islamabad on September 1, 2014. -AFP Photo
A supporter (R) of PAT chief Tahirul Qadri, shakes hands with a soldier from the Pakistan Army, during the Revolution March towards the prime minister's house in Islamabad September 1, 2014.— Photo by Reuters
A supporter (R) of PAT chief Tahirul Qadri, shakes hands with a soldier from the Pakistan Army, during the Revolution March towards the prime minister's house in Islamabad September 1, 2014.— Photo by Reuters
A bicyclist makes his way through tear gas fired by police to disperse protesters, carrying wood for cooking as the sun sets, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday, Sept. 1, 2014. — Photo by AP
A bicyclist makes his way through tear gas fired by police to disperse protesters, carrying wood for cooking as the sun sets, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday, Sept. 1, 2014. — Photo by AP
A supporter (2nd R) of Tahirul Qadri lifts up the hand of a Pakistan Army soldier during a march towards the prime minister's house in Islamabad, September 1, 2014. — Photo by Reuters
A supporter (2nd R) of Tahirul Qadri lifts up the hand of a Pakistan Army soldier during a march towards the prime minister's house in Islamabad, September 1, 2014. — Photo by Reuters
— Screengrab of Imran Khan speaking to his supporters
— Screengrab of Imran Khan speaking to his supporters

The political crisis in Pakistan remains at fever pitch as both the PML-N led government and the protesting Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek refuse to budge on their respective positions.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stands firm in the face of growing pressure for his resignation, and the protesting PTI and PAT are adamant on standing their ground in the capital's high-security red zone.

Violent clashes have taken place over the last 72 hours, leaving at least three dead and hundreds injured. Speculation and conspiracy theories are widespread, the most popular of which sees the powerful military as somehow engineering the ongoing crisis. This view is a consequence of numerous events, the most recent being PTI President Javed Hashmi's allegations that Imran Khan said the current crisis is following a script dictated by the military.

Amid the rallying calls for the PM's resignation and an overthrow of the system, all eyes are on the Supreme Court and the army as the deadlock continues.

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Read up on Saturday and Sunday's violent clashes | Read what took place on Monday

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