ISLAMABAD — A fiery anti-government cleric on Saturday led a massive rally of thousands of protesters in Pakistan’s capital who defied pouring rain to demand the prime minister step down over alleged fraud in last year’s election.

Cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri, along with famous cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan, have drawn tens of thousands of demonstrators to dual protests that have disrupted life across Islamabad. They demand Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif step down over alleged fraud in the country’s May 2013 election, something Sharif has refused to do.

The protesters have vowed to remain in the streets until Sharif leaves office, raising fears of political instability in the nuclear-armed nation, which only saw its first democratic transfer of power last year.

On Saturday, Qadri told his supporters to continue protesting until they bring about a “peaceful revolution.”

“Nawaz Sharif should be arrested when he steps down and he should not be allowed to leave the country,” he said. He also called for the dissolution of Parliament and fresh elections.

Sharif has given no indication he intends to step down, and leaders of his party said Qadri’s demands were unconstitutional.

Khan, who has camped with his supporters less than one kilometer away from Qadri’s rally, also vowed Saturday to continue his protest.

“I will not go back to my home without getting resignation from Nawaz Sharif,” he told reporters.

Both Khan and Qadri have vowed to bring 1 million followers into the streets of Islamabad, a city of roughly 1.7 million inhabitants. Police estimated that nearly 35,000 people were present at Qadri’s rally and 25,000 at Khan’s.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/