'Sit-ins not to affect Pakistani parliament session'

The National Assembly session will be held as usual despite thousands of anti-government protesters occupying the area around Pakistan's parliament in Islamabad, the authorities said Wednesday.

The session in parliament house is all set to begin as scheduled, as the members could come to the house en-route Margala Road-Cabinet Secretariat-Parliament House despite all other roads being blocked by protesters, Geo TV quoted National Assembly Secretariat officials as saying.

Thousands of activists of Pakistan Threek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Wednesday forced their way to reach the parliament building demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The protesters removed all hurdles to reach the "Red Zone" in the capital city that houses diplomatic missions and other important buildings including the prime minister's house.

In a rare statement, the Pakistan Army Wednesday called for dialogue to resolve the current political crisis in the country.

The current "situation requires patience, wisdom and sagacity from all stakeholders," Xinhua quoted military spokesperson Major General Asim Bajwa as saying. He called for "meaningful dialogue in larger national and public interest to resolve the prevailing impasse".

Bajwa said that buildings in "Red Zone" are symbol of state and being protected by army, "therefore sanctity of these national symbols must be respected."

PTI chief Imran Khan and Tahir-ul-Qadri of Pakistan Awami Tehreek led thousands of their supporters to enter the secured area in Islamabad.

Major political parties had earlier called for patience and dialogue to resolve the political deadlock. However all efforts for dialogue have failed so far.