Islamabad: The political crisis in Pakistan escalated on Friday night with the third round of talks between government negotiators and Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) failing to break the logjam.
Giving a fresh ultimatum, the PTI demanded that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif step down for 30 days for an independent probe into the alleged rigging in last year's polls but this was outright rejected.
PTI's chief negotiator Shah Mehmood Qureshi told reporters after the meeting that if proved innocent Sharif can return to power.
Government representative Ahsan Iqbal said the demand for resignation of the Prime Minister was not acceptable.
Thousands of supporters of PTI chief Khan and firebrand cleric Qadri continued to camp outside the Parliament building here as their protests entered the 10th day today.
Pakistani media said government has suspended mobile phone services in the Red Zone in and around the National Assembly citing security reasons.
There are also reports of fresh efforts to block arterial roads leading to the protest site to prevent supporters of Khan and Qadri reaching there.
Striking a defiant note, Khan told his supporters it was out of question to leave the capital without forcing Sharif to quit.
"If it is proved after 30 days that everything was ok, you can return as the PM. But you are not willing to take us up on the offer. That is because you are afraid that you will be found out," Khan was quoted as saying by Express Tribune.
Using the cricketing terminology, he promised to contest till the "last ball".
His comments came after former President Asif Ali Zardari met Nawaz Sharif at the premier's residence in Lahore to discuss the political crisis and pledged to "protect democracy."
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said Zardari had assured his full support to Sharif in resolving the crisis within the limits of the constitution and law.
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