ISLAMABAD: Thousands of opposition supporters held a rally in Islamabad on Sunday protesting against alleged rigging in last year's general election, amid simmering tensions between the government and army.
The demonstration was led by Imran Khan as well as Tahir ul Qadri, who held an anti-corruption march last year prior to the May 2013 election that saw the country's first democratic handover of power.
An estimated crowd of around 25,000 came from around the country, particularly from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa which Khan's party governs as well as from the populous Punjab to demonstrate in front of parliament.
Addressing the protestors, Khan lashed out at the government for its alleged role in rigging the 2013 parliamentary elections, disputing the outcome in four constituencies. He also called for the election commission to resign, and railed against power shortages and inflation.
Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Noon swept to power last year with 190 of the parliament's 342 seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) came second with 45 seats.
Khan's Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI) trailed in third with 34 seats and the four contested constituencies would not have affected the overall election result.
"We demand the election commission to immediately resign because the nation has no confidence in them," Khan said.
"The government has accused me of attempting to derail democracy, but how can it claim of democracy with a fake mandate?" he added, to roars of approval and applause.
Supporters meanwhile waved flags and chanted "Who will save Pakistan? Imran Khan, Imran Khan!" amid a charged atmosphere.
Both Khan and Qadri have backed the military in its push to shut down Geo News, after it aired allegations accusing the inter services intelligence (ISI) of attempting to assassinate journalist Hamid Mir.
Writing in English-daily The Express Tribune, analyst Raza Rumi said the timing of the protest was suspicious.
"In the first place, why wait a year to challenge the election results? Why form a government in a province, become part of the assemblies, and then choose the street agitation route?" he said.
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