Impasse in Islamabad May End Soon, Talks Begin With Imran Khan

Pakistan's cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan waves to supporters in Islamabad on Aug. 20, 2014 (AP photo)

Islamabad:  The end could be in sight for the week-long anti-government protest in Pakistan. 24 hours after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan entered Islamabad's Red Zone at the head of 30,000 protesters, back-channel talks appear to have started to end the impasse. Earlier, the other leader of the protest, populist cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri was engaged by negotiators from the government and the opposition. Though both leaders still demand Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's resignation, Mr Khan apparently had a change of heart about storming Mr Sharif's official residence.

Here is your 10-point cheat-sheet to this story:

1. Pakistan media reports indicate that talks between Imran Khan's PTI and the government negotiating committee are underway at a five-star HOTEL INIslamabad. Three ministers are reportedly among the group representing the government.
2. Earlier, addressing thousands of protesters in Islamabad's Red Zone, Mr Khan said that while he was open to dialogue, it was not of much use if Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif didn't step down. And to achieve that objective, if need be, he would "sleep alone in a container".
3. But the idea of storming Mr Sharif's house was put on hold. "I thought I would take you all to the Prime Minister's house today," he told his supporters. "(But) I thought his heart is already in bad shape. If I ask my followers to go in that direction (of his house) and he has heart attack - I cannot do that."
4. Reuters reported that Mr Khan backtracked after Pakistan's military called for a political solution to the crisis. The army is already guarding the Red Zone, the political and diplomatic enclave of Islamabad. A tweet from military spokesman General Asim Bajwa has called upon stakeholders to resolve impasse through "dialogue in larger national and public interest."
5. Before taking on the PTI, Mr Sharif had sent four negotiators to Mr Qadri. While the talks were on, the parliament blockade came to a halt. After the talks, though, Mr Qadri asserted he would not compromise on his demands, adding, "I have always been ready for dialogue". (Also Read: Pakistan Social Media Abuzz with Pro and Anti-Government Debates)
6. Lawmaker Marvi Memon from the ruling party said every parliamentarian present had denounced the protests and offered support to the government. Parliament would reconvene on Thursday, she said.
7. Before his mega address to the protesters, Mr Khan told a Pakistani television channel that he would accept "whatever the Supreme Court decided". Pakistan's Supreme Court has ordered Mr Khan and Mr Qadri to appear on Thursday, in response to a petition filed over their protests. (Read)
8. Around 30,000 protesters are picketing Islamabad's Red Zone, which houses key buildings including parliament, the prime minister's house and numerous Western embassies. The blockade on the Parliament House began early on Wednesday morning. Mr Khan's party has also begun a parallel protest in Karachi.
9. Mr Qadri and Mr Khan claim that last year's general election - in which Mr Sharif's PML-N had won a landslide victory - was rigged. The election was rated as free and credible by international observers. Mr Sharif has refused to step down.
10. Despite fears of violence, there have been no major clashes yet. The government had pledged restraint. Both Mr Khan and Mr Qadri, too, asked the protesters to be peaceful. "We will stage such a big crowd that people will forget Tahrir Square," Mr Khan had promised his followers.