Nighttime happenings

WHAT did two prominent figures achieve with noisy street protests in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital? At best, nothing. At worst, they helped weaken a fragile democracy and embolden the hand of the army. Imran Khan, a cricketer-turned-politician who is keen on the limelight (and whose supporters are pictured), claimed that last year’s general election was rigged. Independent observers said otherwise. He and a Sufi cleric with a separate following, Tahir ul Qadri, headed for the government district, though each drew far fewer supporters than promised. They insisted on the resignation of the prime minister, Nawaz Sharif. He refused, and cannily asked the army to secure the city centre, amid fears of a possible coup. A negotiated outcome looks likely, with the demagogues expected to leave with little or nothing to show for their bluster.