This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/16/world/asia/pakistan.html
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Opposition in Pakistan Is Drenched but Not Doused | Opposition in Pakistan Is Drenched but Not Doused |
| (10 days later) | |
| ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Tens of thousands of opposition supporters, led by a former cricket star, Imran Khan, and a cleric, Muhammad Tahir-ul Qadri, converged on the Pakistani capital late Friday for what they billed as an extended protest movement to oust Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. | |
| The two cavalcades, which were loosely allied but operated separately, arrived in Islamabad in the pouring rain, at the end of a slow and occasionally violent journey across Punjab Province. | The two cavalcades, which were loosely allied but operated separately, arrived in Islamabad in the pouring rain, at the end of a slow and occasionally violent journey across Punjab Province. |
| Mr. Khan’s supporters clashed with pro-government activists as they passed through the city of Gujranwala; each side threw stones and accused the other of starting the trouble. But the peaceful arrival of the protesters in Islamabad was a relief after weeks of political tension and speculation that new turmoil could tempt the military to intervene. | Mr. Khan’s supporters clashed with pro-government activists as they passed through the city of Gujranwala; each side threw stones and accused the other of starting the trouble. But the peaceful arrival of the protesters in Islamabad was a relief after weeks of political tension and speculation that new turmoil could tempt the military to intervene. |
| The protests are the most potent threat yet to Mr. Sharif’s 14-month-old government, which has also been dogged by tensions with the military high command. Mr. Khan hopes that, by bringing a large crowd into central Islamabad, he can force Mr. Sharif, whom he accuses of vote rigging, to resign and hold new elections. | The protests are the most potent threat yet to Mr. Sharif’s 14-month-old government, which has also been dogged by tensions with the military high command. Mr. Khan hopes that, by bringing a large crowd into central Islamabad, he can force Mr. Sharif, whom he accuses of vote rigging, to resign and hold new elections. |
| But the crowds that followed Mr. Khan into the capital on Friday fell far short of predictions of a “million man march,” and bad weather further dampened the atmosphere. Mr. Khan’s senior lieutenants warned the government against employing tactics of intimidation against them. | But the crowds that followed Mr. Khan into the capital on Friday fell far short of predictions of a “million man march,” and bad weather further dampened the atmosphere. Mr. Khan’s senior lieutenants warned the government against employing tactics of intimidation against them. |
| “You are playing with fire,” said Jahangir Tareen, a senior leader, during a news conference on Friday afternoon, addressing Mr. Sharif. “We are peaceful, but it is not our weakness.” | “You are playing with fire,” said Jahangir Tareen, a senior leader, during a news conference on Friday afternoon, addressing Mr. Sharif. “We are peaceful, but it is not our weakness.” |
| Mass street movements are an integral part of democratic politics in Pakistan, often used by opposition politicians to press their demands. But Mr. Khan’s crusade has been met with sharp criticism in the news media in recent weeks from Pakistanis who say his demands are exaggerated, especially at a time of pressing security challenges. | Mass street movements are an integral part of democratic politics in Pakistan, often used by opposition politicians to press their demands. But Mr. Khan’s crusade has been met with sharp criticism in the news media in recent weeks from Pakistanis who say his demands are exaggerated, especially at a time of pressing security challenges. |
| Those challenges were underlined on Thursday when militants attacked two military air bases in the western city of Quetta, setting off battles in which 10 militants were killed and several security officers were wounded, officials said Friday. | Those challenges were underlined on Thursday when militants attacked two military air bases in the western city of Quetta, setting off battles in which 10 militants were killed and several security officers were wounded, officials said Friday. |
| The military said that its soldiers repelled the assailants before they could penetrate the bases’ defenses, and that they had captured three militants. A Taliban faction claimed responsibility for the attack. | The military said that its soldiers repelled the assailants before they could penetrate the bases’ defenses, and that they had captured three militants. A Taliban faction claimed responsibility for the attack. |
| “We have carried out the attacks to avenge the killing of innocent civilians during the ongoing military operation in North Waziristan,” Ehsanullah Ehsan, a spokesman for the faction, said by telephone, referring to a military operation in the tribal belt that started in June. | “We have carried out the attacks to avenge the killing of innocent civilians during the ongoing military operation in North Waziristan,” Ehsanullah Ehsan, a spokesman for the faction, said by telephone, referring to a military operation in the tribal belt that started in June. |
| Earlier, a spokesman for an apparently different Taliban faction also claimed responsibility for the attack in Quetta, which is the capital of Baluchistan Province. | Earlier, a spokesman for an apparently different Taliban faction also claimed responsibility for the attack in Quetta, which is the capital of Baluchistan Province. |
| Mr. Ehsan claimed that the Taliban had killed 35 security personnel and destroyed two airplanes. But a military spokesman said that the attackers had failed to penetrate the perimeter of the bases and that both were “fully functional and open” on Friday. | Mr. Ehsan claimed that the Taliban had killed 35 security personnel and destroyed two airplanes. But a military spokesman said that the attackers had failed to penetrate the perimeter of the bases and that both were “fully functional and open” on Friday. |
| Hours before the assault, Mr. Sharif and the army chief, Gen. Raheel Sharif, who is not related to the prime minister, flew into Baluchistan to open a renovated historic building that was burned by Baluch separatists last year. | Hours before the assault, Mr. Sharif and the army chief, Gen. Raheel Sharif, who is not related to the prime minister, flew into Baluchistan to open a renovated historic building that was burned by Baluch separatists last year. |
| The joint appearance of the two men dampened speculation of a dangerous rift between Pakistan’s civilian and military leaders. Mr. Sharif has been at loggerheads with the military over several issues in recent months, especially the treason trial of the former military leader, Gen. Pervez Musharraf. | The joint appearance of the two men dampened speculation of a dangerous rift between Pakistan’s civilian and military leaders. Mr. Sharif has been at loggerheads with the military over several issues in recent months, especially the treason trial of the former military leader, Gen. Pervez Musharraf. |
| Fears of a coup on the part of Mr. Sharif’s supporters were heightened by the arrival of Mr. Qadri, the cleric, who is seen as being close to the military, and who also tried to oust the previous government. But there is little sign that the military wants to seize power directly, although it could use the crisis to increase its political influence. | Fears of a coup on the part of Mr. Sharif’s supporters were heightened by the arrival of Mr. Qadri, the cleric, who is seen as being close to the military, and who also tried to oust the previous government. But there is little sign that the military wants to seize power directly, although it could use the crisis to increase its political influence. |
| On Friday night, Mr. Khan’s supporters set up camp on a highway on the edge of the city and waited for their leader to address them. Many appeared to be exhausted by the long journey, which had taken over 24 hours. | On Friday night, Mr. Khan’s supporters set up camp on a highway on the edge of the city and waited for their leader to address them. Many appeared to be exhausted by the long journey, which had taken over 24 hours. |
| The strength of the protests is likely to become clear over the weekend, once the crowds reach full strength and the two protest leaders address their followers. Mr. Qadri’s team said he would speak at midday on Saturday to demand Mr. Sharif’s immediate arrest and the installation of a new government led by technocrats. | The strength of the protests is likely to become clear over the weekend, once the crowds reach full strength and the two protest leaders address their followers. Mr. Qadri’s team said he would speak at midday on Saturday to demand Mr. Sharif’s immediate arrest and the installation of a new government led by technocrats. |
| Mr. Sharif’s government has tried to appear strong in the face of the street agitation. After initially banning the protests, it said they could go ahead, but not in the symbolically important space before the national Parliament. | Mr. Sharif’s government has tried to appear strong in the face of the street agitation. After initially banning the protests, it said they could go ahead, but not in the symbolically important space before the national Parliament. |
| Any attempt by protesters to move toward Parliament could set off violent clashes with the police. | Any attempt by protesters to move toward Parliament could set off violent clashes with the police. |