Thousands of protesters demanding Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's resignation, laid siege to Pakistan Parliament and other government buildings today.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) head Tahrir-ul-Qadri say last year's general election was rigged and have been demanding Nawaz Sharif's resignation.

Imran Khan has stated that that he will talk to Nawaz Sharif if he steps down as Prime Minister and that Nawaz Sharif’s stepping down remains top on the agenda. He said that the Supreme Court is the only institution to dispense justice and if the apex court makes a decision it will be acceptable to his party. Imran said that Pakistan Supreme Court should act as a guarantor of the dialogue.

In a significant development, Pakistan Supreme Court has ordered Imran Khan and Tahir-ul-Qadri to appear before it tomorrow to explain themselves over the protests seeking Nawaz Sharif's resignation. The ruling came during the hearing of the petition filed by the Lahore High Court's Multan Bar Association urging the court to restrain Khan and Qadri from making illegal and unconstitutional demands.

Nawaz Sharif government has reportedly launched back-channel efforts to avoid a confrontation with cricketer turned politician Imran Khan and religious leader Tahirul Qadri. Sharif's decision came after Khan threatened to storm the Prime Minister House if he refuses to step down by today.

Reports in Pakistani media quote Sharif as saying that Pakistan will not be allowed to become Somalia, Iraq or Libya. Sharif also asked all stakeholders to resolve the impasse through meaningful talks.

Earlier in the day, the Pakistan military called for calm after protesters breached the Red Zone that houses important government buildings including the Parliament House, Prime Minister House, President House, the Supreme Court besides embassies.