Protestors Storm State TV; Clash with Security Forces

Protestors in Pakistan pushed their way closer to the residence of President Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad on Monday and forced their way into the state television station disrupting broadcast for a few hours.

The army was called in to restore order at the station.

Thousands of protestors have gathered in the capital city of Islamabad urged by calls given by ex-cricketer turned politician Imran Khan and cleric Tahir ul-Qadri against the general elections held in May, which they claim were fraudulent, and the widespread corruption in the country. A march was led to the city by the two from Lahore in mid- August and since then the city has been witnessing skirmishes between the authorities and the rallyists.

The situation took a turn for the worse on Saturday when three people died and hundreds were injured in street battles between the police and the demonstrators, reports the Associated Press..

On Monday, some protestors pushed their way through the Red Zone, an area comprising of government buildings and official residences. Some even made it to the gates of the official residence of the President where they were pushed back by para military forces, as shown in images beamed by Pakistani TV channels, according to various media reports.

Some protestors were carrying batons and wearing gas masks. The official forces clashed with the demonstrators and even used tear gas to disperse them.

President Sharif is facing his biggest challenge since his election in May 2013. In a country where the military has always played a crucial role in propping up governments, the recent disruption also saw an unscheduled meeting on Sunday of the   military. Top commanders called for the government to end the standoff immediately and peacefully, reports the Voice of America.

Army Chief General Raheel Sharif warned that further use of force will only escalate the situation, reports the Voice of America.