At least 300 people were wounded in clashes between police and protesters in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, hospital officials said on Sunday, as a fortnight long political impasse took a violent turn. Photo: AP
Pakistani protesters gather around a pile of empty tear gas canisters fired by police during a protest near prime minister's home in Islamabad, Pakistan on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014. (Photo: AP)
The injured were rushed to Islamabad's two main hospitals, and the number of casualties is expected to rise as clashes continue.
Women and children have been prominent among both protest groups, and the rising number of those injured is set to further polarise the already embittered political atmosphere.
The government on the other hand has struck a defiant note, issuing a statement saying that Sharif would not be stepping down. Seen here: Policemen wearing riot gear standby in case of violence near the protest venue of Pakistan's fiery Muslim
Khan said, calling for demonstrations across Pakistan, "We will continue our struggle against the government, till our last breath,"
Paramilitary troops and soldiers standing guard to protect the PM's house as well as other sensitive installations have not yet been called into action, despite the violence on Sunday.
Local and foreign observers said the polls were credible, and analysts believe the protests have been coordinated by the powerful army as a means of re-asserting its dominance over civilian authorities.
Khan and Qadri claim the 2013 elections which saw Sharif sweep to power were massively rigged.
Protesters with batons have burned tyres and blocked roads in Lahore.
Demonstrations have also erupted in the eastern city of Lahore and the port city of Karachi.
Private TV channels broadcast footage of protesters breaking the outer iron grill of parliament house and entering at the outer lawn but without entering the main building.
The crisis took on a new dimension earlier in the week after the government asked the powerful army to mediate, raising fears the military would use the situation to enact a "soft coup" and increase its dominance over civilian authorities.
The protesters, led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and populist cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri, have been camped outside parliament house since August 15 demanding Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif quit amid allegations of vote rigging.
Police responded with teargas and rubber bullets. Islamabad police chief Khalid Khattak told AFP police exercised restraint but the protesters were armed with axes, wire cutters and hammers.
The protesters attempted to remove barricades around it with cranes.
The violence, which began late on Saturday and continued early on Sunday, erupted after around 25,000 people marched from parliament to the prime minister's house.