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Monday 22 September 2014 - 10:23

Khan supporters hold anti-govt. rally in Karachi

Story Code : 411036
Pakistani cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan (C) gestures after arriving at an anti-government rally in Karachi, September 21, 2014.
Pakistani cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan (C) gestures after arriving at an anti-government rally in Karachi, September 21, 2014.
The protest rally was staged on Monday after a major month-long sit-in in the capital, Islamabad.
 
Addressing the crowd, Khan called on the Pakistanis to unite behind him to bring change to the country.
 
“No one was ever caught and punished for rigging the elections. Those who have usurped the rights of the people were never caught and that is why I have come out. I am telling you Nawaz Sharif, until you resign, this campaign will not end,” Khan said.
 
Khan, who heads the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, and cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri, the head of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), have been leading daily protest rallies in Islamabad since August 14.
 
The two opposition figures say the country’s May 2013 general elections, which were won by Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) party, were fraudulent. They want Sharif’s resignation and an overhaul of the country’s electoral system.
 
Several anti-government rallies have turned violent over the past weeks.
 
Talks between representatives from Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League and the opposition groups have stalled, as both sides refuse to back down.
 
The ruling party says Sharif will not resign, while the opposition refuses to accept any solution short of his resignation.
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