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Pakistan military urges dialogue amid Islamabad protests Pakistan cleric blocks parliament amid Islamabad protests
(about 1 hour later)
Pakistan's military has called for dialogue between the government and leaders of two major protests taking place in Islamabad. Pakistan's anti-government cleric Tahirul Qadri has called on protesters to block access to the country's parliament building in Islamabad.
The call came hours after protesters marched on parliament demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, breaking through barricades. He and another protest leader, Imran Khan, are demanding the resignation of PM Nawaz Sharif.
Protesters on Tuesday entered the high-security red zone, which houses state buildings and foreign embassies. On Tuesday the protesters entered the high-security red zone, which houses state buildings and foreign embassies.
They are blocking access to and from the parliament building. The military has urged dialogue to end the impasse between the government and the protest leaders.
But the BBC's M Ilyas Khan says there are no signs of a clash so far. Mr Qadri, in an address to followers, called on them to stand guard at all the gates of the parliament building.
The two opposition groups that are currently camped out in Islamabad are led by opposition politician Imran Khan and anti-government cleric Tahirul Qadri. Both groups marched from Lahore.
Army spokesman General Asim Bajwa made the call for dialogue on his verified Twitter account early on Wednesday morning.
"[The] situation requires patience, wisdom and sagacity from all stakeholders to resolve prevailing impasse through meaningful dialogue in larger national and public interest," he said.
The buildings in the red zone were symbols of the state and were protected by the army, "therefore sanctity of these national symbols must be respected".
Mr Qadri in an address to followers said they would not "violate the sanctity" of the buildings.
But he ordered his followers to stand guard on all the gates of the parliament building.
"You will not allow anyone to enter or leave [the building], not even a mosquito... not even the prime minister," the cleric said in his address."You will not allow anyone to enter or leave [the building], not even a mosquito... not even the prime minister," the cleric said in his address.
Our correspondent says soon after his address, his followers, wielding shields and batons, moved closer to the gates of the parliament and other buildings, ignoring warnings by police not to approach any closer. The BBC's M Ilyas Khan says parliament is in session at the moment, with dozens of MPs as well as the prime minister present inside.
Hundreds of government employees are also inside the parliament building and other buildings which Mr Qadri wants his followers to lock down.
Soon after his address, his followers, wielding shields and batons, moved closer to parliament, ignoring warnings by police not to approach any closer.
But there are no signs of a clash so far, says our correspondent.
Earlier on Wednesday, army spokesman General Asim Bajwa made the call for dialogue on his verified Twitter account.
"[The] situation requires patience, wisdom and sagacity from all stakeholders to resolve [the] prevailing impasse through meaningful dialogue in larger national and public interest," he said.
The buildings in the red zone were symbols of the state and were protected by the army, "therefore sanctity of these national symbols must be respected".
Mr Qadri said his group would not "violate the sanctity" of government buildings.
The two opposition groups that are currently camped out in Islamabad are led by opposition politician Imran Khan and Mr Qadri. Both groups marched from Lahore.
Both protest leaders want a change of government, and Mr Khan has accused Mr Sharif's party of vote-rigging in the 2013 election.Both protest leaders want a change of government, and Mr Khan has accused Mr Sharif's party of vote-rigging in the 2013 election.
The government has accused the protesters of attempting to derail democracy. They have offered talks with the demonstrators, but these have been rejected.The government has accused the protesters of attempting to derail democracy. They have offered talks with the demonstrators, but these have been rejected.