Opposition 'jirga' sees ray of hope after PTI meeting, Qadri rages on

Published September 2, 2014
Imran Khan, left, raises his arm before his supporters as his party leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi, right, looks on during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014.— AP Photo
Imran Khan, left, raises his arm before his supporters as his party leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi, right, looks on during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014.— AP Photo
— Screengrab from opposition 'jirga' press conference
— Screengrab from opposition 'jirga' press conference
Nawaz Sharif inside Parliament today
Nawaz Sharif inside Parliament today
An anti-government protester sits atop a container while his fellow protester sleeps, in front of the President House, Islamabad, Sept 3, 2014. — Photo by Reuters
An anti-government protester sits atop a container while his fellow protester sleeps, in front of the President House, Islamabad, Sept 3, 2014. — Photo by Reuters
Imran Khan addresses supporters while flanked by Tahirul Qadri in Islamabad. -Reuters Photo
Imran Khan addresses supporters while flanked by Tahirul Qadri in Islamabad. -Reuters Photo

The political turmoil in Pakistan continues unabated, with a largely united parliament on one side, and the Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek on the other.

A joint session of Parliament saw all parties put aside their differences to stand against what they termed were attempts to derail the democratic process. Estranged PTI MNA Javed Hashmi announced his resignation from the National Assembly and embraced his former party leader and now PM Nawaz Sharif.

Meanwhile, Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri continued their protests jointly, reiterating their demand that both Nawaz Sharif and Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif have to resign.

The red zone remains tense, with thousands of protesters and as many security personnel maintaining a delicate equilibrium.

Follow live updates below.

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

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...