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 Protesters led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and
firebrand cleric Tahir ul-Qadri have rallied in Islamabad for almost
two weeks and vowed to occupy the capital until Sharif resigns - a
demand the premier has firmly rejected.
In his first public remarks since the start of the crisis, he did
not say explicitly how the deadlock might be solved but said he was
fully committed to democracy.
"We are not one to be scared of such things," he said. "We have seen
ups and downs, we have seen highs and lows, we have seen times when
we have not only borne problems but borne them with a smiling face
and without complaining.”
Just outside the parliament where he addressed members, thousands of
protesters camped out in the heat, but the gathering was peaceful
and the atmosphere was festival-like.
Security forces protecting the building looked on but did nothing to
disperse them.
"I want to say with complete resolve and belief that, God willing,
this journey of the supremacy of law and constitution will continue
in Pakistan,” Sharif said told a sparsely attended session of
parliament.
"This democracy will keep taking us forward, keep making Pakistan
shine, and make Pakistan proud and a day will come when it will
never again be disrupted or halted."
Pakistan has been ruled by the army for half of its history and the
military's position in the standoff will ultimately determine
whether the protests eventually fizzle out or take on a more violent
course.
If the all-powerful army referees a solution to the stand-off, it
will emerge strengthened at the expense of the prime minister in the
coup-prone country.
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Sharif, who was himself toppled in a 1999 coup, jailed and then
exiled, made a triumphant comeback as prime minister for a third
time in last year's general election.
Few believe the military wants to seize power this time, but there
is a widespread perception it is using the protests as an
opportunity to weaken Sharif.
Government officials and protest leaders have been in sporadic talks
since last week to find a peaceful solution but Khan has refused to
back down unless Sharif quits over accusations that he rigged the
last election.
Qadri has given the government another deadline to quit by the
middle of this week, saying otherwise circumstances might be
"uncontrollable". But as of Wednesday afternoon, the protesters
still sat outside parliament and no solution was in sight.
(Editing by Maria Golovnina)
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