ISLAMABAD- Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, weakened by weeks of demonstrations calling for him to resign, today threatened to clear a protest camp established more than a month ago outside government offices in Islamabad.
Protesters led by Imran Khan and Tahir ul-Qadri have been locked in a bitter stand-off with the government since mid-August, refusing to leave their camp until Sharif steps down.
The protest leaders accuse Sharif of rigging last year's election which brought him back to power in a landslide.
"Up until now, we have tolerated all this and acted with decency and patience," Sharif said in televised remarks.
"Otherwise it's no hard task for us to clear the way and clear the streets."
The army has denied it was meddling in civilian affairs, saying it is neutral.