PM Shehbaz Sharif calls in army as Imran Khan marches into capital

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif called in the army to control the situation as PTI supporters, led by Imran Khan marched into Islamabad with his Azadi march. The army was sent to protect vital structures such as the Supreme Court, Parliament House, Prime Minister House, Presidency, Pakistan Secretariat, and Diplomatic Enclaves. 

PTI party workers and supporters pushed away barriers and braved tear gas shelling as they marched towards the capital. Tensions escalated as Imran Khan's supporters and the army clashed. Khan said that he and his supporters would go for a sit-in until new elections were announced in Pakistan, but changed his mind after the 'brutal crackdown' his supporters were met with.

Khan gave the government an ultimatum of six days to call for elections, Geo tv reported. “The government tried every method to crush our Azadi March. They used teargas on peaceful protests, our homes were raided and our privacy was violated. However, I have seen the nation free itself of (the) fear of slavery,” Khan said. 

“My message for the imported government is to dissolve assemblies and announce elections, otherwise I will come back again to Islamabad after six days,” he added.