On the rousing call of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, a million people are planning to advance to the capital for the party’s ‘Azadi’ march.

Will there be a confrontation? How long will the sit-in last? Will the government or aggrieved opposition call it a day? Will 'strategic phone calls' be made? More importantly, if the siege lasts a few days, how will a million people eat and sleep?

There are many questions that beg asking. But at the moment, politicking, meetings, phone calls and press conferences have taken center stage.

Below is a round-up of the day’s political happenings and statements which will be updated in the build-up to August 14.

MQM reiterates Azadi march issue should be resolved amicably

Speaking to media representatives after meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, MQM leaders Dr Farooq Sattar and Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said the party believes in reconciliation and all issues should be resolved through amicable consensus.

“We expressed our stance during the meeting with the PM,” said Siddiqui, adding that the government should follow the politics of engagement.

He said MQM chief Altaf Hussain and Prime Minister Sharif were on the same page that the country cannot afford chaos and anarchy at this critical juncture.

“Protest is the right of demonstrators … but, it’s better to negotiate prior to the march rather than doing that after chaos,” said Sattar.

He said that MQM suggested an all party conference (APC) on the issued during the meeting. “We are ready to facilitate the dialogue between the two parties … consultation process should continue,” he added.

Sirajul Haq urges govt to resolve the issue in ‘limited time’

Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, Amir Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Sirajul Haq said that there was a limited time left before the PTI’s ‘million march’ on Islamabad, therefore without wasting any more time, the government should try to show political maturity and serious attitude.

“I appeal to all political forces to extend every possible help to resolve the situation and the government should play a leading role in that,” he said.

Haq warned against the forces that want to exploit the situation, saying Pakistan was surrounded with problems from all corners.

“We should avoid the situation to go out of hands where someone will have to look at Saudi embassy again for a helping hand,” he said without naming anyone.

The JI chief said that they have presented a formula to the government that will help it to come out of the current chaos.

“The government should show seriousness to avoid any untoward incident to happen on August 14,” he said.

PPP is appeasing both sides: PTI

As opposition parties consult both the government and agitated Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) over the latter’s demand that the prime minister step down, senior PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi accuses the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of appeasing both sides.

“They are sending different signals to both parties,” Qureshi told Dawn in a telephone conversation. “If they are with the government, they should openly announce their allegiance. If they are with the opposition, then they should make it public.”

No resignation till NA has confidence in Nawaz: ANP

After meeting with the prime minister amidst soaring political temperatures, Awami National Party leaders reiterated their support for democracy and appealed for a peaceful protest.

“It is every party’s right to protest and rally but it must be done within constitutional limits,” said Senator Haji Adeel.

There should be no breakage, violence or deaths, he said.

“We have told the government that it should withdraw the enforcement of Article 245; we have separately asked Imran Khan to pursue dialogue as he is a politician.”

He also said that PTI has presented conditions to the N-league, which he feels the government should consider with other parties on board.

“Till the House has confidence in the PM, there can be no resignation demand,” he said.

Ghulam Bilour was also present at the occasion and said democracy should not be derailed as parties have sacrificed a lot to achieve it.

Sharif family preparing to leave for US, claims Tahirul Qadri

Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) Tahirul Qadri on Thursday said Nawaz Sharif and other members of the Sharif family have made preparations to leave for the United States.

The PAT chief said that the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have refused to give space to Sharifs.

Qadri claimed visa requests had been sent even for the servants working for the Sharif family, adding that the people of Pakistan won't let them escape. He also claimed that Hamza Shahbaz Sharif had applied for a visa on July 15.

The PAT chief said people would recover all the stolen wealth of the country from members of the Sharif family.

Shahbaz, Shujaat faceoff?

Pakistan Muslime League - Quaid (PML-Q) chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on Thursday challenged Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif to a televised one-on-one debate.

He added that a civil martial law was in place in the country and that if the army took control of the country in the current circumstances, a course of action could be determined later.

Nawaz meets with Rabbani

DawnNews reported on Thursday that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met Pakistan Peoples Party senator Raza Rabbani to discuss the ongoing political situation.

PML-N may give in to PTI’s recount demand

Quoting PML-N sources, DawnNews on Thursday reported that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is contemplating giving in to Imran Khan’s initial demand of a recount in four constituencies where rigging has been alleged.

The constituencies that the government is reportedly considering a recount in include NA-110, NA-122 and NA-154.

Sources said that Nisar will contact the PTI to discuss this further.