Pakistani politicians meet with protesters to try to end crisis

Pakistani ministers and opposition politicians met anti-government protesters yesterday in a bid to end a week-long political crisis that has rattled the restive nation.

Thousands of followers of the cricketer turned politician Imran Khan and populist cleric Tahir ul-Qadri are demonstrating outside the parliament building, trying to force Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from office.

Khan and Qadri believe last year's general election that swept Sharif to power by a landslide was rigged, and they are demanding his resignation.

Sharif's party won the election by a landslide, taking 190 out of 342 seats in the national assembly. The showdown has added to instability in a country that has had three military coups since its creation in 1947 and which is struggling with a homegrown Taliban insurgency, a crippling power crisis and a sluggish economy. Before the talks, thousands of Pakistani protesters had tried to blockade parliament after Qadri told them not to allow anyone in or out. Sharif was inside the buidling at the time. Despite, Wadri's call the lawmakers left by a back entrance.

The protesters had taken to the streets of Islamabad for five days, led by Khan and Qadri.

There had been few signs the protest leaders were prepared to back down, but yesterday evening a cross-party delegation held an initial meeting with members of Qadri's team to try to resolve the standoff. Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, a senior leader in Qadri's Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) movement, said they wanted "meaningful talks". Minister for States and Frontier Regions Abdul Qadir Baloch, part of the government team, said he was hopeful for a "positive result from the negotiations".