Pakistan’s ex-premier calls off planned sit-in, demands vote

By MUNIR AHMED
Associated Press

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s defiant former Prime Minister Imran Khan has called off a planned, open-ended sit-in in Islamabad. The development on Thursday temporarily assuaged fears of a protracted civil conflict after Khan led thousands on a march toward Parliament in Islamabad, demanding the government’s resignation. Khan’s followers began converging on the Pakistani capital on Wednesday, with some 10,000 reaching the city center around midnight. Khan himself entered the city as part of a large convoy of cars, buses and trucks, with demonstrators waving flags and rallying overnight. Some protesters clashed with police outside Parliament. Khan gave Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif — who replaced him in April — less than a week to call for new elections.