Pakistan anti-government protesters camp out in Islamabad
- 10 years ago
Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters have reached Pakistan’s capital Islamabad.
Two protest groups led by former cricket star turned politician Imran Khan and an anti-Taliban cleric Tahir al-Qadri began their march on Thursday and refuse to budge until the government is removed.
It is seen as the greatest threat to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif since he took office in June last year.
“Our emotions are high,” said Mamona Sajjid, a Pakistan Awami Tehreek party supporter. “We will sit here until an announcement of revolution victory, only then will we go back to our homes. Our leader will tell us that we have become victorious, deliver a victory speech, that day we will go back, God willing,” she added.
Thousands of riot police have been deployed.
Khan announced he hopes to amass one million supporters.
Sharif says he is ready to meet the opposition but has made no indications he is willing to step down.
Two protest groups led by former cricket star turned politician Imran Khan and an anti-Taliban cleric Tahir al-Qadri began their march on Thursday and refuse to budge until the government is removed.
It is seen as the greatest threat to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif since he took office in June last year.
“Our emotions are high,” said Mamona Sajjid, a Pakistan Awami Tehreek party supporter. “We will sit here until an announcement of revolution victory, only then will we go back to our homes. Our leader will tell us that we have become victorious, deliver a victory speech, that day we will go back, God willing,” she added.
Thousands of riot police have been deployed.
Khan announced he hopes to amass one million supporters.
Sharif says he is ready to meet the opposition but has made no indications he is willing to step down.