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Pakistan cleric blocks parliament amid Islamabad protests Qadri protesters guard access to Pakistan parliament
(about 2 hours later)
Pakistan's anti-government cleric Tahirul Qadri has called on protesters to block access to the country's parliament building in Islamabad. Pakistan's anti-government cleric Tahirul Qadri has called on protesters to continue guarding state buildings amid a massive sit-in in Islamabad.
He and another protest leader, Imran Khan, are demanding the resignation of PM Nawaz Sharif.He and another protest leader, Imran Khan, are demanding the resignation of PM Nawaz Sharif.
On Tuesday the protesters 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.
The military has urged dialogue to end the impasse between the government and the protest leaders.The military has urged dialogue to end the impasse between the government and the protest leaders.
Mr Qadri, in an address to followers, called on them to stand guard at all the gates of the parliament building. Reversing an earlier command which blocked all access, Mr Qadri told followers that while they should stay put at all exits, they should let people move in and out of government buildings.
"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. Mr Qadri's baton-wielding followers are currently blocking the parliament building's front exits on Constitution Avenue, says the BBC's M Ilyas Khan.
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. The cleric had earlier told followers not to let anyone enter or leave the parliament building, where MPs and Mr Sharif met on Wednesday afternoon.
Hundreds of government employees are also inside the parliament building and other buildings which Mr Qadri wants his followers to lock down. The lawmakers had to use a rear exit to leave the building. Parliament was adjourned till Thursday.
Soon after his address, his followers, wielding shields and batons, moved closer to parliament, ignoring warnings by police not to approach any closer. Employees of the civil secretariat and other offices in the vicinity also had to be evacuated under strict security, says our correspondent.
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.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] 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".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.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.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.