ISLAMABAD, Aug 16:
Leaders of two anti-Government rallies today vowed not to back down till Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigns as thousands of their supporters converged on Pakistan’s capital, posing the biggest challenge to the 15-month-old civilian Government.
The opposition groups, led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and Canada-based cleric Tahirul Qadri, are protesting to press Sharif to call fresh polls alleging rigging during the last year’s elections.
“Under no circumstances, we will accept this (last) election. I am sitting here, Nawaz has one option. Resign and order a re-election,” Khan, who heads the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party, said. “I will not leave here until I have got real freedom for the country,” Khan said, as he addressed his supporters amid rains.
“I am not derailing democracy because there is no democracy in the country,” he said.
The protesters reached here from Lahore after travelling more than 300 kms in over 35 hours.
Khan announced to stage a sit-in from 3 pm today till Sharif resigns. Senior leaders of his party and workers also echoed similar sentiments and chanted “Go Nawaz Go” slogans.
The rain and journey took toll on Khan’s health who had not slept for 40 hours, his supporters said. (PTI)
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