Islamabad, September 1
In a dramatic escalation of the political crisis that has put Pakistan on edge, hundreds of protesters today stormed the Secretariat and the Pakistan Television (PTV) office. The Pakistan Army chief met Premier Nawaz Sharif triggering rumours that he was advised to step down.

Fresh clashes erupted today between the police and protesters who forcibly entered the Secretariat after breaking its gate, hours after the military asked all parties to peacefully resolve the over two-week-long deadlock.

Television images showed protesters pelting stones and police using batons and teargas to disperse the angry crowd. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan and cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) were today booked under the anti-terrorist Act for attempting to attack Parliament. The police registered an FIR against Khan and Qadri on behalf of the government.

On Saturday night, Khan and Qadri’s supporters tried to storm the PM’s residence by breaking through the police barricade. The protesters, demanding resignation of Sharif over alleged rigging in last year's elections, also entered the lawn of Parliament but they were stopped at the main entrance.

The Supreme Court today offered to assist in ending the ongoing political impasse between the PTI, PAT and the government.

Protesters armed with clubs and sticks this morning broke the gate and entered the premises of the Secretariat, defying calls from the army personnel not to enter the building.

The police fired rubber bullets and teargas shells to push them back but remained unsuccessful. The protesters damaged vehicles of Secretariat employees.

Later in the day, hundreds of protesters stormed the PTV office, blocking its transmission briefly before the army secured the building. Protesters barged into the PTV network office, smashing cameras, and entered the control room. Over 800 protesters entered the building.

Army personnel reached the headquarters of the TV station and asked the protesters to leave the building immediately. — PTI