MULTAN, Nov 25th:A policeman and ten protestors were killed and over 100 people including police officers were injured as forces on Saturday moved to disperse a sit-in that has virtually paralysed the country´s capital for weeks.However Police said that only eight demonstrators were killed
Smoke and tear gas filled the air as the roughly 8,500 elite police and paramilitary troops in riot gear were also seen throwing rocks and using slingshots in the ongoing bid to clear 2,000 or so hardline demonstrators which began soon after dawn.Small protests are breaking out in major cities of the country against government's crackdown on a sit-in in Islamabad.
The protesters belonging to different religious parties started gathering in Karachi, Lahore and other cities after TV footage showed police and activists of a small outfit led by Maulana Khadim Hussain Rizvi clashing .. Hundreds of activists of religious parties and groups came out on the roads in Multan, Khanewal, Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Kotadu, Sanawan, Bahawalpur to protest against the Faiz-abad (Islamabad)operation.They chanted slogans against the Government for protecting its law minister.More than 200 activists gathered at Chowk Kutchehry for staging a demo but Police dispersed .The protesters were demanding that law minister Zahid Hamid resign over a hastily-abandoned amendment to the oath that election candidates must swear.When they gathered against Police resorted to baton charge to disperse them. Four rallies were organised by the activists of religious groups and religious parties. Police is patrolling in the city and District magistrate Multan has banned the assembly of five or more persons ,shouting slogans, carrying arms , batons and making objectionable speeches. Security forces including police, Rangers and other agencies have launched operation to break up the Islamabad sit-in being conducted by religious parties since November 8.
One policeman has martyred, at least 63 people have been injured and shifted to PIMS hospital. 29 police personnel 9 FC personnel and 25 protesters are included in the injured. Almost 8,000 security personnel started operation at 7 am after last deadline ended today. during the operation in Islamabad .
The sit-in by the little-known hardline group called Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah Pakistan has blocked Faizabad interchange used by thousands of commuters since November 6, causing hours-long traffic snarls and enraging commuters.
The protesters are demanding that law minister Zahid Hamid resign over a hastily-abandoned amendment to the oath that election candidates must swear.
Demonstrators have linked it to blasphemy and claim the oath was softened to enable the participation of Ahmadis, a long-persecuted Islamic minority sect.
The security forces have surrounded the protesters and tear gas shells are being fired at them. The protesters in retaliation are throwing stones at the security personnel.
The operation was started on order of Prime Minister as Interior Minister presented him whole situation. The premier allowed operation to fulfill Islamabad High Court orders.
According to Waqt News, the security forces had dispersed half of protesters from sit-in while all protesters were dispersed from Faizabad interchange.
The protesters however spread to dozens of different points as more people from twin cities come to the protest. They started throwing stones to security officials.
The security forces could not arrest the sit-in leadership including Khadim Hussain Rizvi till now. The protesters have surrounded leadership and stopping police and Rangers.
There are prison vans, ambulances at the site. Helicopters and drones are being used by the authorities for aerial surveillance. Police have also used water cannons to disperse the protesters.
Due to operation in Islamabad people in Lahore are coming out on the roads. Lahore's entry and exist points have been blocked by the protesters. Traffic jam has choked arteries near Data Darbar. Along with Lahore, people in Karachi have started a protest at Numaesh Chaurangi.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulating Authority (PEMRA) has issued coverage notice for electronic media and all satellite TV channels.
