Thousands gather in Islamabad

TV AND WEB RESTRICTIONS~**NO ACCESS PAKISTAN

EDIT CONTAINS 4:3 MATERIAL

They began assembling early Tuesday morning in front of Parliament House in Islamabad... tens of thousands of demonstrators hoping to shut down the government.

Supporters of populist Pakistani cleric Muhammad Tahirul Qadri - group is calling for an end to government corruption and for delayed elections.

As day broke, protesters remained-- many held signs and pictures of Qadri, others danced and cheered.

During a speech to the masses, Qadri stressed the democratic and constitutional nature of the demonstration.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) SUFI CLERIC MUHAMMAD TAHIRUL QADRI SAYING:

"This is green revolution, this is peaceful revolution, this is democratic revolution, this is constitutional revolution, this is lawful revolution."

His calls for a revolution have divided Pakistanis.

Some hold him up as a champion of reform, others see him as a stooge of the military, which has a history of coups and interfering in elections.