After briefly relenting late last night, Khan withdrew from talks and declared he would continue the protest “till the end”. Sharif told senior journalists if the government accepted Opposition’s demands, the country would face numerous challenges.

“Out of 12 political parties in Parliament, 11 are supporting the government.... We respect people’s mandate. We can’t even imagine using force against dharnas. We are ready to hold talks,” said Sharif. Khan, chairman of the Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), stepped up pressure on the Sharif government calling

for a nationwide protest and refusing to talk to the government until the Prime Minister resigned. Khan called on his supporters this afternoon to expand the civil disobedience movement into all provinces.

“It is our democratic right to protest... we are not breaking any law. I request the Supreme Court to have these containers removed so that life can return to normal,” said Khan. — Agencies