As protests between security forces and protestors aggravate in the high security red zone of the city , The President of Pakistan called for a joint session of parliament today.
Police had to resort to firing of tear gas shells to disperse the crowd near the government buildings.
Earlier the national television channel of the country was briefly taken off the air after its headquarters were stormed by anti-government protestors.
The protesters supporting opposition leader Imran Khan and cleric Tahirul Qadri demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Sharif refused to either resign or go on leave.
Sharif had said he will not allow setting an example under which a few people make hostage mandate of millions of people. He was addressing a group of political leaders.
Sharif also met army chief, Gen Raheel Sharif, for talks on the crisis. The Army has denied charges that it is backing Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri.
The Army in its statement said that it is an apolitical institution and has expressed its indisputable support for democracy.
