DHAKA: An anti-government Pakistani cleric told his protesting supporters camped outside parliament on Wednesday not to allow anyone in or out of the assembly, which is in session with prime minister Nawaz Sharif in attendance.

‘Don’t let all those inside come out and don’t let anyone go in,’ the cleric, Tahir ul-Qadri, told his supporters outside parliament in the capital, Islamabad, reports The Straits Times.

Qadri and opposition politician Imran Khan are trying to force Sharif to resign over allegations of election rigging and corruption.

After five days of protesting in Islamabad, they led supporters past shipping container barricades to reach parliament.

Despite fears of violence, many protesters were equipped with gas masks and batons, riot police and other security forces looked on without intervening.

BDST: 1622 HRS, AUG 20, 2014