Islamabad (Web Desk – Breaking News)Following announcements by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri to hold sit-ins outside parliament, the participants of the Azadi March and Inqilab March are proceeding towards the Red Zone.
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Live Updates August 20
02:15: Tahirul Qadri arrives infront of the Parliament House.
02:00: Qadri says PAT will have the session of Awami Parliament (People’s Parliament) in front of the Parliament House on Wednesday.
Tomorrow we will have the session of #AwamiParliament (People's Parliament) in front of the Parliament House.
— Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri (@TahirulQadri) August 19, 2014
01:00: Britain has urged the two sides to find a democratic solution to the crisis.
“We strongly support a democratic Pakistan and the use of democratic institutions to resolve political disputes,” British foreign minister Philip Hammond said in a statement
00:34: DG ISPR tweets buildings in Red Zone are symbol of state and being protected by the army.
#ISPR Release1/3:Bldgs in red Zone r symbol of State&being protected by Army,therefore sanctity of these national symbols must be respected
— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) August 19, 2014
ISPR Release 2/3:Situation requires patience,wisdom&sagacity from all stakeholders to resolve prevailing impasse
— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) August 19, 2014
#ISPR Release 3/3: (Continues)through meaningful dialogue in larger national and public interest
— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) August 19, 2014
00:20: PTI Chairman Imran Khan says they will wait for PM Nawaz’s resignation till Wednesday evening and if he fails to resign they will enter the PM House. “Neither the police nor army can stop us.”
00:04: US says issues in Pakistan should be resolved through dialogue in a way which strengthens democracy
00:00: All entry points to Islamabad sealed
End of Live Updates August 19
23:50: Azadi March and Inqilab March reaches Constitution Avenue
(11:53pm) Federal government started working on new strategy, installing the containers again on the entry and exit points of Islamabad, local media reported.
According to reports, the decision was taken to stop more protestors trying to enter in the federal capital from other cities.
(11:42pm) PTI, PAT protestors have managed to reach before Prime Minister’s Secretariat building in Islamabad now. Surprisingly, there is not a single barrier to face by protestors now onwards till Parliament House located 100 metres away.
(11:39pm) Meanwhile, PM’s daughter Maryam Nawaz said that PM Nawaz Sharif has prohibited the usage of power against the PTI, PAT protestors on humanitarian basis.
(11:39pm) Federal minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said, ‘Imran Khan have only way to resolve matters via talks as dictation will not be accepted.’
(11:30pm) Protestors crossed Nadra Chowk after hour long efforts to remove containers and barbed wires from the roads, whereas, security forces have completely silent and avoiding clashes with the crowd.
23:18: Clash reported at Serena Chowk. One policeman has been injured.
Policeman Injured at Serena Chowk by GeoNews
(11:11) Tahirul Qadri’s convoy reaches Nadra Chowk in security circle of PAT workers.
(11:07) Pakistan government will avoid usage of power, says Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rasheed.
23:04: Crane being used by PTI workers to remove containers on Aabpara Chowk blocking the road leading to Red Zone.
23:00 Imran Khan’s caravan reaches Aabpara Chowk
22:51: JI chief Siraj-ul-Haq tells Geo News a middle ground has to be reached. Haq says great damage will be caused if there is a confrontation.
22:30: Information Minister Rashid tells Geo News PTI and PAT did not fulfil any promise. Rashid says the government will demonstrate patience and not use force. “They do not want to negotiate and have their own plans. We have taken measures so they are not successful.”
Rashid adds the government is still willing to hold dialogue with PTI, PAT. “Our focus is protection of lives not politics; we will not take any step which will damage Pakistan.”
22:26: PTI, PAT workers reach Serena Chowk where a large contingent of police is deployed.
22:05: PIMS Hospital on red alert.
22:00 Army deployed at Prime Minister’s Secretariat
Security at Prime Minister's Secretariat by GeoNews
21:55: PTI, PAT workers facing no resistance in moving towards Red Zone.
21:45: PTI Azadi March Proceeds Towards Red Zone
PTI Azadi March Heads Towards Red Zone-Aerial… by GeoNews
21:40: Religious Ulema have appealed the marchers to resolve political differences through dialogue. Staging protests is a democratic right but suspending life and depriving people of earning livelihood is unacceptable. Ulema further say there should be a limit to the marches and sit-ins.
21:23: PM Nawaz Sharif chairing high-level meeting with cabinet members and senior PML-N leadership. Meeting is discussing the Azadi March and Inqilab March situation.
21:17: PTI chairman Imran Khan says police should welcome them as they are coming for bring them freedom. “No one should come in front of us.”
21:14: Marchers start removing containers placed as barriers in the way towards Red Zone.
21:05: Imran Khan and Dr Tahirul Qadri depart for Red Zone
21:00: Police laced with rubber bullets and tear gas, remain stand by along the Red Zone.
20:58: Imran Khan should not take revenge of long march failure from Pakistan, says Shahbaz Sharif. The Punjab chief minister adds that the Azadi March will not be allowed to be turned into ‘destruction march.’
Shahbaz further says attempts are being made to use women and children as human shields to play with Pakistan’s future.
20:49: PPP Patron-in-Chief tweets Imran Khan is carrying out a political suicide attack on democracy.
20:49: Azadi and Inqilab March participants combine near Aabpara
20:45: Jinnah Super and supermarkets begin to shut down
20:00: Imran Khan announced that PTI will hold a sit-in outside parliament house.
19:07: Following Interior Minister Nisar’s announcement, army has been deployed in Islamabad’s Red Zone.
18:45: PAT chief Dr. Tahirul Qadri announces to move sit-in towards Parliament House
