Pakistan descends into chaos as protests turn violent
Anti-government protests in Pakistan turned violent as thousands of demonstrators marched on the prime minister's house on the weekend. The protesters demand that PM Nawaz Sharif step down over alleged voter fraud.
Tear gas and rubber bullets
At least three people were killed and hundreds wounded when Pakistani police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters calling for the resignation of PM Sharif. For over two weeks, thousands of anti-Sharif demonstrators have been blocking the country's parliament in the capital Islamabad, chanting slogans against the premier, who they claim came to power through rigged elections.
Two leaders, one objective
The anti-government protests are being led by cricketer-turned-politician and head of the Movement for Justice (PTI) party, Imran Khan, and Pakistani-Canadian Sunni cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri (shown in the picture). The two politicians demand electoral reforms and claim that the government is corrupt and incompetent.
Will the talks resume?
Khan vowed on Sunday to continue with protests. "I ask all Pakistanis to rise up against this government. This is not a constitutional government - they are killers," Khan told his supporters in Islamabad. The government said it remained open to restarting negotiations with the opposition.
Beginning of the 'long march'
On August 14, thousands of anti-government protesters began a march from Lahore to Islamabad, aiming to topple PM Sharif's government. Pakistani media had put the number of participants at around 200,000. The rallies culminated in a sit-in outside the parliament building on the eve of Friday, August 15, and has continued for a further 16 days.
Frustration with the 'system'
Experts say that many Pakistanis - frustrated with lawlessness, unemployment, frequent power outages and inflation in the country - are hoping for change. However, many accuse Qadri and Khan of using the situation to their own advantage.
Who's pulling the strings?
Pro-democracy activists believe the protest rallies have the backing of Pakistan's ubiquitous army. The military is wary of Sharif's cordial moves towards the country's regional arch-rival India. The PM and the army are also not on the same page over the Islamic republic's Afghanistan policy, nor on the future Pervez Musharraf, former military chief and ex-president, who is in police custody.
A form of coup?
In a report published on Wednesday, August 27, The Wall Street Journal said the Pakistani military was close to an agreement with Sharif in which "the prime minister would relinquish control of security affairs and strategic foreign policy."
Army stepped in as mediator
On Thursday, August 28, Prime Minister Sharif formally requested his country's powerful army chief, Raheel Sharif, to intervene in the protracted conflict and act as a mediator.
Back in charge?
The military, which has been in control of the country for most of its recent history, enjoyed limited power during the five years President Asif Ali Zardari was in office. Experts fear the protests against the current government, which is the first to be democratically elected in Pakistan, could put the army back in the driving seat.