Pakistan election crisis – is history repeating itself?

Pakistan seems to lurch from one political crisis to another and perhaps inevitably, it has got another full-blown emergency on their hands.

This afternoon, thousands of anti-government demonstrators continued their attempt to storm the official residence of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, but were driven back by the police as a two week long political crisis entered a new and volatile stage.

The trouble began last night when protesters gathered for a series of large rallies. The demonstrators belong to two different movements – one led by a firebrand, Canada-based cleric Tahir-el Qardri, who is calling for a “revolution” in aid of the poor. The other group is led by former cricketer Imran Khan who says Sharif committed massive fraud in the last election. Both men are calling for his immediate resignation – and both said last night that their protests will be conducted peacefully.

But that’s not the way things worked out. After the speeches were concluded, their supporters bore down on the prime minister’s residence. They brought along a crane to remove shipping containers used to block the route and for the first time since these demonstrations began, the authorities responded with force.

Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas into the crowd while the crowd responded with sticks, rocks and sling-shots. After several hours thick clouds of tear gas hung over Islamabad’s restricted “Red Zone”.

At local hospitals, the casualties came thick and fast. Officials say three people lost their lives while 470 were injured – many with head injuries and limb fractures.

With no peace talks or negotiations planned, the protest leaders are on a collision course with the government. Nawaz Sharif has offered concessions — some reforms for example on the electoral system, but he has refused to step down.

Ultimately, the government’s fate may depend on Pakistan’s powerful army, who are accused by some of discreetly encouraging the demonstrations. Many think the prime minister has angered the generals, both by seeking closer relations with India and pursuing former army chief Pervez Musharraf in the courts for treason.

Mr Musharaf ended Nawaz Sharif’s previous government in a coup in 1999. It is only natural to wonder then whether history is poised to repeat itself.

Follow John Sparks on Twitter: @c4sparks