Pak SC summons Khan, Qadri as protestors ‘gherao’ assembly

In the first definitive step against the protestors in Islamabad, the Pakistan government has turned to the judiciary, as the Supreme Court has issued summons to former cricket great Imran Khan and cleric Tahir ul-Qadri to court today for organising the 'civil disobedience' movement.

Till now, the Nawaz Sharif government had given a free run to the protesters who breached the red zone and then threat-end to storm the Prime Minister's house.

"We would like to give notice to all respondents for tomorrow," Chief Justice Nasir ul-Mulk said on Wednesday in response to a petition filed against Khan, chief of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) party, and Qadri over their protests.

Thousands of Pakistani protesters tried to blockade parliament on Wednesday after Qadri told them not to allow anyone in or out, with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inside at the time, but the lawmakers left by a back entrance.

The protesters have taken to the streets of Islamabad for five days, led by cricket Imran Khan and cleric Tahir ul-Qadri, who runs a network of Islamic schools and charities.

Both want Sharif to resign over allegations of corruption and election rigging. The Supreme Court summoned both to appear before the court on Thursday.

Earlier on Wednesday, following Imran Khan's deadline, Prime Minister Sharif agreed to meet Khan and Qadri

Khawaja Saad Rafique, Pakistan's minister for railways, tweeted that Sharif has agreed to meet Khan and Tahir ul-Qadri.

The Nation reports, "Lawmakers of treasury and opposition benches on the second consecutive day in the National Assembly on Tuesday assured their full support to the Prime Minister in the current political turmoil, suggesting the PM not to even think about tendering his resignation." 

According to local dailies, most business houses in Pakistan have criticised Khan's protest, arguing that Pakistan can't afford such liabilities with a wobbly economy. Zubair Motiwala, ex-president of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and a leader of the Karachi Businessmen Group, told Business Recorder that a 'civil disobedience' act was not acceptable to the business community.