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World

Pakistani cleric leading opposition rally in Islamabad says talks with government have failed

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Pakistan's Muslim cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri announces the failure of negotiations with the government, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. A Cabinet minister on Wednesday urged Pakistan's two key opposition figures leading mass rallies outside parliament to back off their demand for the prime minister's resignation in ongoing talks with the government. The call by Railways Minister Saad Rafiq came as authorities and the two opposition leaders — cricket-star-turned-politician Imran Khan and fiery cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri — were set to continue negotiations later Wednesday. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash) (The Associated Press)

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    A supporter of Pakistani Muslim cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri flashes a victory sign with fingers painted with color scheme of her party flag, during a sit-in protest near the parliament building in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Thousands of Pakistani former cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan's and Qadri's supporters are besieging parliament in the capital to pressure Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resign over alleged election fraud. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash) (The Associated Press)

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    A supporter of Imran Khan, leader of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, takes a nap during sit-in-protest, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014 in Islamabad, Pakistan. A Cabinet minister on Wednesday urged Pakistan's two key opposition figures leading mass rallies outside parliament to back off their demand for the prime minister's resignation in ongoing talks with the government. The call by Railways Minister Saad Rafiq came as authorities and the two opposition leaders — cricket-star-turned-politician Imran Khan and fiery cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri — were set to continue negotiations later Wednesday. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash) (The Associated Press)

ISLAMABAD – A fiery Pakistani cleric who has been leading a mass rally outside parliament demanding Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's resignation says he has "shut the door" on further talks with the government.

Tahir-ul-Qadri emerged from a late night round with government representatives to tell his followers early on Thursday that the talks have failed.

The negotiations were meant to find a peaceful solution to a crisis that has raised fears of political instability in Pakistan.

The cleric, a dual Pakistani-Canadian citizen with a wide following, and Pakistan's cricket-star-turned-politician Imran Khan have been leading mass rallies for two weeks in Islamabad.

They want Sharif to resign over allegations of vote fraud in last year's elections.

Sharif on Thursday cancelled a planned official visit to Turkey to deal with the crisis at home.