Anti-government protesters have managed to breach a high-security
zone in Pakistan's capital, despite the presence of thousands of
security personnel.
A blackout had been
enforced overnight Tuesday in Islamabad's "red zone," a heavily guarded
area of the city containing key government buildings, as the marchers
drew close. In the darkness policemen thumped their shields with batons
in anticipation of a possible confrontation.
However they told CNN orders had been given not to react or use force.
For the past few days,
thousands of supporters of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan have
joined a march on Islamabad from Lahore to demand the resignation of
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif amid claims of vote-rigging during last
year's election.
They've been joined by
followers of outspoken cleric Tahir ul Qadri, who declared the protest a
"revolution march." Qadri led protests against the government last year
that brought the capital to a standstill, and has accused Sharif of
corruption and campaigned for more to be done for the country's poor.
Sharif has denied the accusations against him, and has offered to set off an investigation into last year's vote.
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