Negotiations would not solve anything until whole system of people's representation and governance is changed...

Long Live Imran.

I don't agree with Imran Khan's tactics but he is telling the absolute truth. What is disheartening is that most people don't seem to care about how much has the Sharif family looted from Pakistan. It seems that we as a nation have accepted that corruption is something acceptable. We have reached the point where we expect it to happen and seem somewhat oddly amused when someone takes offense to this practice. What other reason is there for all of us to constantly keep voting the bhuttos and sharifs back into power ?

I think it is not a bad option for PTI and PAT to compromise at this stage , when all the crooks, hypocrite, thiefs and badmash are togather. Imran and Qadri has done the damage, shake the status quo. It won't be a easy ride for these crooks . I am very happy that few media groups like ARY, Dunia really spoke for us.

how can you give your own opinion in news writing absurd for the appeal doesnt suit dawn

Great expectations with no tangible result in the end.

good job qureshi!

Joint session Day 1 attendance - 33% Day 2 attendance - 53% including 27 from PTI. This is supposed to be a defining moment for the parliament. So where are the parliamentarians?

It seems the issues have been mixed up, the first thing we need to do is to untangle the issues in my humble opinion following should be the approach The prime reason for the dharna is the massive rigging of the 2013 elections-- Imran khan and PTI should stick to this core issue. Imran khan's reasoning that the rigging should be investigated is also correct if the elections were massively rigged then whatever results were produced are null and void and the assemblies and the subsequent government that came in to being is illegitimate and as the peoples mandate was stolen so the existing political parties in the assemblies are illegitimate too. The fear Imran Khan has that under the current political system the investigation will not be transparent--- one suggestion is that Pakistan Army in collaboration with the supreme court of Pakistan can independently investigate the truth. Which should be easy to do as there is a lot of man power in the army. If more that 50 % of the election precincts show evidence of rigging then the present set up has to go and fresh elections should be called in. The ballot boxes should be opened see if the ballot paper was the proper kind or was it from Urdu bazaar Lahore-- it should be started from Punjab as---- at that time chances of rigging would be higher in Punjab as Najam Sethi was the care taker governor in Punjab and Nawaz Sharif and Shabaz Sharif are from Punjb too. I hope that we can come to a positive conclusion from this debacle and learn from our mistakes and move on.

I think that Imran Khan should stick to the core issue that the 2013 elections were massively rigged---- so whatever results were produced are also not acceptable including the assemblies and the government of Nawaz Sharif. Imran Khan has a fear that under the existing system the investigation will not be transparent--one suggestion that Pakistan Army in collaboration with the Supreme Court of Pakistan can launch the investigation for the electoral fraud. They can start from Punjab and to see if the ballot boxes have the genuine ballot paper or the paper from Urdu Bazaar Lahore and if there are more than 50 % election precincts show evidence of rigging then the results should be declared null and void and fresh election should be called in. I hope we have the peaceful resolution of the dharna, we learn from our mistakes and move on.

Looks like Sharif' strategy is to keep negotiating and wait (and wear) them out.

Shame on to those who accepted the corrupt negotiators. I wish Imran and Qadri sahab should have given an honest soul searching if they can accept a mediator or mediators with such a baggage which is at the heights of dishonesty and corruption. How can you do this to the people who gave everything on your call. I know some wise will say ,oh this is not a time to look into these matters rather let the current situation be solved then what mantra of change these leaders have been harping on from the start of their political career. All is the same, shame

Enough is enough. Government is unable to maintain law and order and normal life in Islamabad. Army is not doing anything to restore law and order. The only solution to maintain law and order and bring back the normality in Pakistan is that the Supreme Power in Pakistan, the Supreme Court of Pakistan should step in and order Military to impose 24-hour curfew immediately on gathering more than 5 people and no one should be allowed to stand or sit on any public road or public building unless he/she is an employee of employers with offices in the vicinity of Parliament Building. In addition appropriate criminal proceedings should be initiated against the organizers of demonstrations that led to (1) injuries and deaths of human beings (2) loss and damage of government properties (3) obstruction of legitimate rights of public to use roads (4) obstruction of legitimate rights of employees who work in the vicinity of Parliament to move in and out freely. There is only one institution that is lawfully empowered to administer justice in accordance with constitution and laws of Pakistan and that is Supreme Court, not Nawaz Sharif or Raheel Sharif or Imran Khan or Tahirul Qadri. The legal community and the Armed Forces in Pakistan must support the Supreme Court in its decision to bring peace and normality in Pakistan. May Allah help Pakistanis in this hour of trial!

Imran khan truth prevails at the end. All players of hypocrisy are naturally at one side and truth on the other side.

Even IK's worst opponents in the parliament have said that elections were rigged yet they accuse PTI of trying to damage the democracy & constitution. We all know that free & fair elections are the key to a democratic system and that constitution protects the democracy. Trying to protect the present parliament while fully knowing that the elections were rigged is the democratic version of NRO.

Basically all those in Parliament apart from PTI are saying the system is not broken so there is not need to fix it. To be fair they are right because for them the system is not broken they get voted in rigged elections they don't even need to be very intelligent or have much of an education and will make money beyond their wildest dreams. The system is broken for everyone else whilst Asia is becoming more and more prosperous Pakistan is the one nation going backwards. Don't support a party likes it yours football team if they are incompetent and corrupt then they deserve to be kicked out even if it means voting against family members. This should be the duty of every single Pakistani.

@Waheed Khan: It is not for Imran Khan or you or I to give a verdict that the votes have been rigged to the extent that if fairly done, the present government will not be in power. The first step for Mr. Imran Khan should have been to seek declaration of Supreme Court that 2013 Election was invalid. No demonstrations, marches to Parliament House or Prime Minister's House, Dharna, threats, intimidation, Naara, slogans can change the outcome of 2013 Elections and the only way that can change is a verdict of Supreme Court. Mr. Imran Khan is free to not recognizing the Supreme Court's fairness. Nothing can be done about it. The laws and constitution of Pakistan will prevail unless changed by the Parliament of Pakistan.

Just open one constituency of Khawaja Saad Rafiq and the nation will get the confirmation of the rigging.

@Sunil He is getting full dose of Nihari and Haleem and sleeping well. He can go like this for months.

After watching the firebrand speakers in the parliament it is not hard to understand why there is so much conflict and chaos in Pakistan. One member had exhausted himself shouting so loudly; he was seen gasping for breath. It was obvious most of those members rode to parliament on their ethnic titles and affluence.

Chaudhry Shafi (a sugar industrialist who is a relative of the PM) is member of the negotiating team! Are they discussing sugar quota with PTI?

Ik is a cricketer not a politician. It's a compliment to him. I'm not pro NS or PTI. I'm pro change. Change is to turn our system of governance upside down and inside out. I'm pro Umar ibn Khattab ra. Yes, I can see you nodding in agreement. The question is how do we raise such a ruler?

All a fasad and a drama!

Thanks to Dr. TUQ who showed the pictures of Nawaz Sharif's priviest protest in front of the Supreme court.This is an info for the new generation who are not really aware of it....

@Sunil Not a bad strategy. Nawaz knows Time is on his side and Time is Imran's enemy.

"Jirgas have power of principles and ethics, using that power of ethics we went to the PTI and PAT...We don't have ministerial powers, we as a group of opposition parties, went and played an independent role as an arbitrator." With the Power of Principle and Ethics, the Jirga must show moral courage to recount and or verification of the polling or election results by men of self respect, dignity, honor and integrity, this is the irritant and the real cause of happenings of last 18 days. If at all elections were free, fair and transparent the concerned quarters should not be hesitant or reluctant to present documentary evidence as a proof of its legitimacy!

The JI chief is leading the negotiations!!! The foremost proponents of danda politics and one-vote-per-election? But politics is weird and if they can bridge the divide all power to them.

@Fatima Kishwar Abid the media is the most corrupted institution in Pakistan. They are worse than the police. And I have seen and experienced it. Free media without being bias would be the stepping stone towards a bright Pakistan, trust me.

@KHANJI I salute you because you have love for our country

@KHANJI Thanks and please keep writing the truth

Negotiate not to give people their due share in the country; negotiate to protect parliamentarian's privileges.

ik is right for rigging.

@Maheen how much money has NS taken from you? Just because he is successful does not mean he stole. People in Pak think that just because you are in power you can simply write a check to yourself, it does not work that way.

@Vikas Rehman Some scared and few might be with IK I'm spirit. But mostly scared probably. Can you see how bahaadur leaders we have?

No blood keep flood. Last night was yet another good night when there has been no attack and clash between the police and the Imran + Qadri protestors which is very good and I must whole heartedly congratulate PM Nawaz in particular and Imran + Qadri in general for remaining calm and quiet because clash, if any, would have been between none but Pakistanis on either side and from that point of view I am as sure as death that neither PM Nawaz nor Imran + Qadri had been amused seeing the people attacked and injured. Ground reality is that both of them are demanding PM resignation and sticking to their pledge that their dharnas will continue till Nawaz resigns and their protests had been peaceful from day one except one unfortunate night so at this point of time both the parties namely PM Nawaz and Imran + Qadri are sticking to their demands and as a result PM Nawaz is still ruling as PM like before while Imran + Qadri are still agitating against PM Nawaz. No blood keep flood is not a bad proposition which can be tested even for indefinite period or till the parties change their stance, whichever comes first. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Former Diplomat / Kuwait / zaidiformerdiplomat@hotmail.com

If PTI and PAT would leave now without their demands of removal of PM is met, I can bet my bottom dollar that nothing will change through this parliament in next 3 years and worst rigging will take place in 2018. Remember MQM in late 80's and early 90's? They were talking about lower and middle class and challenged the status quo. Within next 5 years the MQM chief was also wearing a turban on his head and became part of the status quo.

Ik and TUQ were sent in a wrong nation. Is qoum Ko Sony do , they deserve shareef and Zardars

IK still have time to save his face and declare victory. btw i am happy that election reforms are coming ....

@Adam BY supporting Imran Khan. Perhaps he doesn't think like a politician but his intentions are very pure and he thinks for the welfare of people. We need to help him become the leader we want to see. Otherwise I don't see anyone challenging the Shareef and Bhutto Dynasty. Although I don't think he made any mistake in his march but if some people think he made some mistakes on this trip and have lashed out on him should think that at least his intentions are good. At least he is trying to shake the status quo to for our good. He can sit in England and enjoy life, he has seen all the fame so he is in no way power hungry. He wants to help us and we need to let him help. No man is perfect but at least as a whole he is a good man with good intentions so he deserves our support.

A trick for prolonging the issue and subsequent break of the will of tired protesters.

Both IK and Tahir ul qadri are on right.Democracy is not personal property of an individual.This is one of the ways to stand politicians accountable .They should accept this reality and should pay heed to the demands of the people at all cost.

The way events in the parliament are unfolding and the way army personnel were treated with slurs by the members of assembly is clearly showing the mindset of incumbent Govt. The sudden grouping of nationalist leaders around Nawaz League and foolish remarks of Javed Hashmi - this is all leading to the conclusion that this Govt should go. The so called democrats sitting in the house are basically mostly a corrupt element of Pakistani society - just get rid of them. These people are inhuman and have no respect for commoners calling them as low grade citizens. It is a shame on the members of this house and the speaker should have taken strong notice of this slur

@Adam completely agreed.

totally agreed.

I sincerely pray and hope the negotiations are successful and there is peace for the prosperity of Pakistan

This guy really seems to have the resolve to change this country and the destiny of the nation. I hope he succeeds in his mission.

Imran is a Britt, Qadri is Canadian. Both swore allegiance to the Queen. Together they are trying to bring instability, marshal law or Qadri's own government. Which may create a pretext of more drone attacks on freed gitmo prisoners released in Pakistan as moving targets and so called IS. Once his job done, Canadian govt. can jail Qadri for life for endangering the lives of children and depriving them from school. In bad times, they will both fly home leaving the ignorant and per imran wrose than animal people behind. What a shameful wording from imran. By the way, are Qadri's son, daughter and grand kids there or not? Modi didn't become PM overnight, it took decades. Then he was not poor anymore. Sharif's has the same story.

If they inflate the ego of this pm anymore, he will explode.

No politician has any concern about Pakistan/Pakistani People. They are proving about so called leadership supremacy. I am Indian but i am praying for Pakistan. Please don't believe on this drama. I am not saying about right/wrong about politician, but the way/demand made/ solution proposed are undemocratic.

"Go from mogul to Mandela mindset: Mushahid Hussain" - Mr. Mushahid Hussain, correct us if we are wrong, were n't you one of the right hand men of military dictator,Gen. Musharraf ? Since when you became the ardent believer in Mandela mindset ?

If you are in front of dirty politicians like NS, Zardari, Altaf Hussain and the similar kind, what else an honest man can do to get justice. I had a little bit respect for Etezaz Ahsan, which is no more after listening his speech in the parliament. In an honest society all parties would have co-operated with IK, to get rid of an unelected prime minister but of course, why would not they wash their hands in the flowing ganges. All have proved corrupt, dishonest and criminal in their own times.

Cursed was the day when military dictator, Musharraf for personal gain issued NRO. Sharif brothers, Zardari and their henchmen came back bringing along with them proverbial mind set of ruling class, the unsatiable lust for power. Folks, they are here and there is nothing you can do about it.

If the people in parliament are the end result of massive rigging then, it should be resolved.The trouble is that most of them are in the same boat and they will loose out after a fair election.That is the reason that they are all united against IK and his demand for new election.ALLAH help Pakistan

@Iqbal Agreed

Our government... teaches the whole people by its example. If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. Louis D Brandeis

I.Khan is saying all along that for the past 14 months he had knocked on every door to get justice but to no avail. So dharna was the only option left to him & he kept saying that he will start mass public agitation if no body heard his cries for justice and that is what happened.Now the government has accepted all his demands except one.The question is why they didn't listen to him before the dharna started.Keep it up IMRAN KHANA khudai ba dey kamiab krhe .InshALLAH.

What is the point on having these joint sessions when they can't seem to be doing anything constructive except go round in circles. A waste of time. Really it shows these senators and parliamentarians are detached from reality andnot fit to rule.

Despite the skepticism among the nation of Pakistan due to its corrupt politicians, MNAs are nowadays debating in Parliament. I see that a sign towards we as a nation achieving incremental democratic maturity. This is way better than military coups, short cut technocracy or interim governments underpinned by Ihtesaab dramas. These debates remind me how British MPs debate fiercely on the matters of national interest.

Surprising to see that during the joint session of parliament no one spoke about the havoc wreaked by rains over past 48 hours and the lives lost in various incidents due to this flood like situation in the country. Most of the speeches are being made to appease the Prime Minister only and it appears as if there is a competition between the speakers as who will appease the PM the most through his anti Imran/ anti Qadri speech. Everyone appears to have turned a blind eye to all other issues and problems facing the country, instead the focus is on to safeguard their seats and personal interests. Really appalling!

Interesting analysis of the parliament sessions...according to most of the ministers, the current government is bad, yes there was rigging in the election yet we are with the government to save democracy. C'mon give us a break! We need jobs, we need stability, we need life regardless democracy, dictatorship, kingdom or whatsoever. Current set up has failed and needs to be shuffled immediately, the sufferings should not continue till the next election.

So, what is the purpose of this week-long circus, called "joint session", in the parliament? All of these corrupt politicians will come and say a few things to bash the protesters but how will that achieve anything?

@Zain proof it first. No where in the world can you ask a PM to resign for simple speculations.

Parliament is the last hope to ward off the break down of law and order in Pakistan. Individuals, parties and countries learn from their mistakes. Gaining consciousness is a slow process. Let us hope that reason and good faith will prevail among the contestants.

@hina so is it the property of IK and Qadri???? How can such a small percentage dictate the majority??? more over what about proofing the allegation first. Wake up lady. This is not a disc dance show or a cult ,we are talking about a country.

What else can they do?

"PTI has internal election flaws: Ahsan Iqbal" - Of course your party PML(N) has no internal election flaws. It is a family owned party, in fact it is Sharif League, main office, Raiwind.

IK had the next elections. He surely had my vote and millions of others. He missed the trick here and that is 'Patience'. He chose to align himself with TUQ which was a very bad decision.

Nawaz has more important things to do, like making money with his family members.

Ordinary people of Pakistan are becoming poorer and poorer, politicians are becoming richere and richer. Why do these politicians think that they are the masters and people are their servents. People want real democracy not the type of democracy our politicians want. Ayub Khan and Pervez Musharaf times were much better than the Nawaz and Zardari type of democracy. We need change. Imran Khan and Qadri are asking for real democracy. It is time for change.

When you hear one politician has 7 relatives in key positions, other one with 43 relatives in high positions, and with many similar cases, you can be sure system is working for these guys. Why would they want any one protesting against the system. All benefiting from this family oriented, self promoting, money making business have rushed to condemn any voice for change. One feels sorry for poor masses, Many of downtrodden poor people sleep on side walks, some cannot afford to support their family for food, clothing, medical treatment or housing. But rich politicians making frequent business and pleasure trips to foreign countries, some even permanently living in foreign countries enjoying good life.

"While the opposition jirga gave the welcome news that the issue was "70% resolved", Dr Tahirul Qadri show no signs of retreat; an absurd appeal for bats, balls and legos for the children at the PAT dharna was made, as well as mattresses for the women." The word 'absurd' is inappropriate. I am not a supporter of PAT and you are not supposed to make 'editorial comment' in News Story.

@Mustafa J. In response to the resolution of the crisis we must remember that the Supreme Court of Pakistan is the judicial branch of the government for it to decide if the 2013 elections were massively rigged-----it needs the evidence to make a decision not the hearsay or the hubris. We have to think what is the best and honest way to collect the evidence from thousands of polling stations in the country, in my humble opinion only Pakistan Army have the necessary resources to do the job. If the chief justice of Pakistan and chief of Pakistan Army work together---like Pakistan Army taking the responsibility of collecting the evidence and then supreme court making a legal binding decision this might work out. Also by doing this Nawaz Sharif and his cronies would not be able to influence the process. I think all the political parties should support this investigation because if it is proven beyond doubt that 2013 elections were rigged and fresh elections are held with better arrangements then PML-N will be looser and all the others will gain as they will see their true faces. As a nation we must focus on the core issue of 2013 being massively rigged and all other issues are secondary.

watching these parliamentarians speak is seeing the Kakistocracy (government by worst of men) at its peak.

Imran can back off from his demand for PM's resignation if the PM promises to have a fair and transparent election and voluntarily puts himself on ECL until all the culprits of election dhandhli if any are brought to justice.

I am very unhappy with the lies coming out from PAT spoke persons. 25 to 30thousands PAT workers have been arrested. Dozens have been killed in Islamabad, etc etc. I do expect redress to those who were gunned down in Model town , I want compensation from Government and from PAT to the families of those victims not as Qisas, I still want the culprits to be brought to justice and punished maximum. I am terribly disappointed with Imran Khan's politics. I considered him to be a great hope for Pakistan's future but no more not as future PM of Pakistan.. His Naya Pakistan does not look any different than Poorana Pakistan. I do hope that IK will continue to serve not necessarily as PM of Pakistan but in his great capacity to raise funds and provide health care and Education for Pakistanis. Serve as minister of the government. Let those in his party more capable to run country. People who are less autocratic, willing to listen, not too jazbati, mashwara seeking, less arrogant less ziddy etc etc.

Our politicians are hopeless. They are still talking nonsesne and not addressing the real issues of the majority of Pakistanis.

Please do not make him a hero saying under heavy rain he makes some angry comments. He will go back to his nice container while his cult followers will have to sleep in the wet out side. He surely has not invited the children to the container, or may Khan Sahib is a bit more generous. He could take a bus load of Women and children to his Palace. Wouldn't that be a human way to take care of the followers??

IK is a stubborn arrogant and power hungry person. How can NS rig the elections when he was not in power at the time of 2013 elections. International observers declared the elections transparent and fair. IK is ready to remove an elected government by bringing a mob of 10-15,000 persons. If NS resigns where will this end. Another politician will bring 10-15,000 mob and ask the next PM to resign and this cycle will continue.

Revival of Rehman Malik - thanks IK thanks TuQ

Mr. Qadri and Mr. Imran, have mercy on the ladies and children who are battling the worst environmental and weather conditions, while sitting in the 'dharna' just out of gallantry, kindly let them go, both of you have made your point ,and proved that you can bring the government to their knees, internationally also you have made waves, so much so that the President of China is also reconsidering his visit to Pakistan, while USA and UK have issued fresh travel instructions to its citizen for visit to Pakistan.

@HAROON : Well-said Haroon

Dawn News: Qadri lashes out at MPs for terming

Such an apathetic attitude of dharna leaders. On top of that they are clacking over the fact that people stayed put. If it was such a fantastic thing then they should have joined the people outside the container.

@Waheed Khan: My question is why Mr. Imran Khan and Maulana Qadri did not think and act the same way as you said. This could have avoided death, injuries, damage to government properties and two weeks of turmoil and confusion in Islamabad. Just to make one point absolutely clear. Although Judiciary is part of government, it does not take orders from heads of government. They strictly follow constitution, Laws and legal decisions history.

@Maheen: I am one who will be the last person to support Nawaz Sharif, but anyone who wishes to overthrow the government by gathering a mob of 50,000, marching to Parliament Building and Prime Minister's house, damaging government properties, using threatening languages and intimidation is far worst than Nawaz Sharif.

@Zaidi Iqbal Hadi They have the right ask whatever from PM, but PM also has a right to reject their absurd demand of resignation.

MQM will be better of without !Altaf Hussain

@Ahmed USA it is clear Pakistani nation is not with IK and Qaudri, they failed to bring more than few thousands. You can not force 200 mi to accept of few.

It was a shocking experience to watch Joint Session of the Parliament live on TV, no wonder that the country is faced with such a situation what to expect from such pedestrian leadership, perhaps high school students would do better in school debate--speaking on top of their voice does not matter what matters is substance, which was very ordinary--not to forget that in 70's there was one Maulana whisky these days there is Maulana diesel--only God can save Pakistan it is beyond current political leadership.

Forgotten incidents are rekindled. The present cut throat competition between Imran + Qadri against PM Nawaz has awakened most of the people with glorious past stories which are quite explosive in nature but due to the passage of time the impression of those stories and incidents has faded a bit but the same has been rekindled and people are asked to judge themselves as to who is who. PM Nawaz Sharif along with others like Nisar, Saad can be seen actively participating in anti government agitations. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / zaidiformerdiplomat@hotmail.com

These two statements by Nisar and Nawaz ARE confusing as typically statements made by our these people are, always leaving a caveat to change statements! "PM Nawaz Sharif has said that "any decision" taken by the political

@Fatima Kishwar Abid: Slow and steady wins the race. Inshallah PAT and PTI will sort out the corrupt politicians.

I wonder if any one has google searched lately for 'riches people in Pakistan' Yes, may be you already know it?