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        Pakistan Lawmakers Hold Emergency Meeting Amid Political Impasse

   by VOA News

   Pakistan's parliament is holding an emergency meeting Tuesday as part
   of efforts to rally political support for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif,
   who is refusing to resign despite weeks of opposition protests.

   Thousands of protesters have occupied a central part of the Pakistani
   capital for more than two weeks, demanding that the prime minister
   resign over alleged election fraud.

   The protests had been mainly peaceful until this weekend, when clashes
   erupted between protesters and security forces.

   Monday witnessed more pitched battles between protesters and police.

   Demonstrators briefly took over Pakistan's state television station,
   forcing the channel off the air.

   Opposition leader and cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan is vowing
   not to call off the anti-government protests until the prime minister
   resigns.

   "We are saying to Nawaz Sharif that he should now step down, because
   today people will come out all over Pakistan against him, and there
   will be losses to the Pakistani people, and will be losses to people's
   property, all because of you, and you have no moral ground to continue
   as prime minister," said Khan.

   Khan distanced himself from the attack on the TV station, promising
   punitive action if anyone from his party found guilty, and reiterated
   his protest is peaceful.

   In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the United
   States supports the right of peaceful protest, but urged the
   demonstrators and the government to show restraint, and said
   destruction of property Is not an acceptable way to resolve political
   differences.

   Police also have attacked television crews and reporters covering the
   protests. Police have been seen dragging journalists out of vans and
   beating them with sticks.  Some have been seriously hurt.  A government
   minister has promised to investigate brutality against the press.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/pakistan-protests-continue/2435575.ht
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/pakistan-protests-continue/2435575.html