A Pakistani cleric leading a mass anti-government rally in front of parliament has issued a 48-hour deadline for the country’s prime minister to step down or he says he’s prepared to die.
Tahir-ul-Qadri, leader of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), showed protesters a white burial shroud yesterday in a speech issuing the deadline for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has refused to step down.
It’s not clear what Qadri plans to do after his deadline expires, though some have feared protesters may try to enter parliament, which is protected by soldiers. That could set off a violent confrontation.
Qadri and opposition politician Imran Khan, leading Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), separately led tens of thousands of people from eastern city of Lahore to Islamabad, protesting against alleged vote fraud in the 2013 elections that brought Sharif to power.
Meanwhile, PTI and PAT officials have assured the top court of Pakistan that they will vacate the Constitution Avenue in Islamabad, following instruction from the latter.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Justice Nasir-ul Mulk led the five-member bench which instructed the lawyers of the two parties as well as the attorney general to make sure the Constitution Avenue was cleared in 24 hours, Geo News reported.
The Supreme Court bench was hearing a petition filed by the Supreme Court Bar Assosiation (SCBA) President, Kamran Murtaza along with other members, arguing that the protestors are in violation of the rights of the common citizen according to the constitution.
The road block has forced judges of the apex court to use alternate routes to arrive at the Supreme Court, while employees have also complained of being harassed by the protestors.
The chief justice remarked during proceedings yesterday that instead of law enforcement personnel, protestors were stopping cars and checking them before allowing them to proceed.
However, Qadri has reportedly remarked that his protestors will not violate any state building, adding that since the protest was a political activity, the apex court had no jurisdiction to interfere.
