Pakistan's cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan waves to supporters in Islamabad on Aug. 20, 2014 (AP photo)
Twenty-four hours after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan stormed Islamabad's political heart - the Red Zone - at the head of 30,000 protesters, his team started talks with the government to end the impasse. Earlier, the other leader of the protest, populist cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri, was engaged by negotiators from the government and the opposition.
Here is your 10-point cheat-sheet to this story:
Pakistan media reports say talks between Mr Khan's Tehreek-e-Insaf, or PTI, and government negotiators were held at Islamabad's Mariot Hotel. Several key ministers were present in the group.
The PTI's demands include resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, installation of an interim government, electoral reforms prior to fresh elections, re-elections for assemblies, bringing culprits of the alleged 2013 vote fraud to book and audit of the government's expenses.
The second round of talks will take place in the morning after the government examines PTI's six-point demands. Today, the Prime Minister is also to address Pakistan's national assembly.
Earlier, addressing thousands of protesters in Islamabad's Red Zone, Mr Khan said while he was open to dialogue, it was not of much use if Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif didn't step down. And to achieve that objective, if need be, he would "sleep alone in a container". (Highlights of Imran Khan's Speech)
But he had a change of heart about storming Mr Sharif's house. "I thought I would take you all to the Prime Minister's house today," he told his supporters. "(But) I thought his heart is already in bad shape. If I ask my followers to go in that direction (of his house) and he has heart attack - I cannot do that."
Reuters reported that Mr Khan backtracked after Pakistan's military called for a political solution to the crisis. A tweet from military spokesman General Asim Bajwa has called upon stakeholders to resolve the impasse through "dialogue in larger national interest."
Before engaging the PTI, Mr Sharif had sent four negotiators to Mr Qadri. After the talks, though Mr Qadri asserted he would not compromise on his demands, he added, "I have always been ready for dialogue". (Also Read: Pakistan Social Media Abuzz with Pro and Anti-Government Debates)
Mr Khan has told a Pakistani television channel that he would accept "whatever the Supreme Court decided". Pakistan's Supreme Court has ordered Mr Khan and Mr Qadri to appear today, in response to a petition filed over their protests. (Read)
Around 30,000 protesters are picketing at Islamabad's Red Zone, which houses key buildings including parliament, the prime minister's house and numerous Western embassies. The blockade on the Parliament House began early on Wednesday morning. Mr Khan's party is holding a parallel protest in Karachi.
Mr Qadri and Mr Khan claim that last year's general election - in which Mr Sharif's PML-N had won a landslide victory - was rigged. The election was rated as free and credible by international observers. Mr Sharif has refused to step down.
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