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Pakistan protest march led by Imran Khan begins | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Anti-government protesters in Pakistan have begun travelling from Lahore to Islamabad, amid tight security. | |
The rally is being led by opposition politician Imran Khan, who wants PM Nawaz Sharif to resign for failing to probe fraud in last year's polls. | |
An anti-government cleric Tahirul Qadri, who wants to lead a separate march, is being prevented from leaving Lahore. | |
The government accuses the protesters of trying to derail democracy. | The government accuses the protesters of trying to derail democracy. |
But it also announced on Tuesday a Supreme Court commission to investigate allegations of rigging in the 2013 poll. | |
This was dismissed by Mr Khan, who vowed to press ahead with the march from Lahore to Islamabad saying that only Mr Sharif's resignation would stop the rally now. | |
The BBC's Shahzeb Jillani in Islamabad says the stand-off is seen as the biggest challenge yet to Mr Sharif's government. | The BBC's Shahzeb Jillani in Islamabad says the stand-off is seen as the biggest challenge yet to Mr Sharif's government. |
There is is anxiety and uncertainty about what will happen on the streets of the capital later, our correspondent adds. | There is is anxiety and uncertainty about what will happen on the streets of the capital later, our correspondent adds. |
Mobile phones jammed | Mobile phones jammed |
Mr Khan addressed a crowd in Lahore before taking his place in a truck as part of a convoy of hundreds of vehicles bound for the capital, Islamabad. | |
Tens of thousands of security personnel have been deployed in Islamabad and in cities across Punjab province. | |
Roadblocks have been placed on all major entry and exit points to the two cities. The mobile phone network has also been partially suspended. | Roadblocks have been placed on all major entry and exit points to the two cities. The mobile phone network has also been partially suspended. |
Many fear clashes between police and Tahirul Qadri's followers, who want to hold their own "revolution march" on Islamabad. | |
Mr Qadri's supporters have, however, been blocked into an area around his home and the cleric is not being allowed to leave for his rally. | |
Marchers in both camps are angry about the sinking economy, the uncontrolled growth of militancy, and core services such as the electricity supply which has nearly ground to a halt. | Marchers in both camps are angry about the sinking economy, the uncontrolled growth of militancy, and core services such as the electricity supply which has nearly ground to a halt. |
In a country with a history of military coups, everyone fears that violence beyond a certain point may force the hand of even a reluctant army to intervene, correspondents say. | In a country with a history of military coups, everyone fears that violence beyond a certain point may force the hand of even a reluctant army to intervene, correspondents say. |
Last week at least six people were killed in Punjab province in clashes between police and supporters of Mr Qadri. | Last week at least six people were killed in Punjab province in clashes between police and supporters of Mr Qadri. |
Mr Qadri, who until recently was based in Canada, returned to Pakistan in June and is one of Pakistan's most prominent political and religious figures. | Mr Qadri, who until recently was based in Canada, returned to Pakistan in June and is one of Pakistan's most prominent political and religious figures. |
He leads the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) party and has condemned the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as corrupt. | He leads the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) party and has condemned the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as corrupt. |
He says he plans to lead a peaceful revolt against Mr Sharif, who he says has failed to solve basic problems such as unemployment and frequent electricity outages. | He says he plans to lead a peaceful revolt against Mr Sharif, who he says has failed to solve basic problems such as unemployment and frequent electricity outages. |
Mr Qadri has called for a military-backed government to take over from Mr Sharif, but has denied being supported by the army. | Mr Qadri has called for a military-backed government to take over from Mr Sharif, but has denied being supported by the army. |