Alwaght- Pakistani security forces' large-scale crackdown on thousands of religious sit-inners in Islamabad has triggered widespread protests across the Muslim country.
Some 8,500 elite police and paramilitary troops in riot gear, using tear gas and watercannon, launched a repeatedly postponed crackdown on Saturday to clear a sit-in by protesters who have blocked the main routes into the capital of Islamabad for more than two weeks.
Hundreds of people were arrested, and their tents and belongings at a highway interchange were set afire, sending clouds of smoke into the air. Officials said numerous police and other security forces were injured or disabled by tear gas.
Ambulances rushed to and from the scene, and helicopters circled overhead. Officials warned residents to remain indoors as clashes continued for hours, and all regional hospitals were ordered on emergency alert.
The assault had been expected for days, as protesters refused government orders to disperse and ignored repeated deadlines. The demonstrations began three weeks ago and have grown steadily, with emotionally charged crowds calling for the removal of a cabinet minister. They are upset about a previous proposed change in election laws that weakened requirements for all candidates to swear they believe that Muhammad was the final Islamic prophet.
The government had claimed that the modification was the result of a clerical mistake.
The Islamabad protesters belong to various religious parties, including the Tehreek-i-Khatm-i-Nabuwwat, Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLY) and the Pakistan Sunni Tehreek (ST).
Despite the presence of thousands of security forces, protesters continued to resist or escape them throughout the day, with some leaders and others wearing gas masks.
Meanwhile, supporters in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpur Azad Kashmir, Tando Allahyar, Jacobabad, Chakwal, Sabrial, Lahore, Faisalabad and Gujranwala rallied in separate demonstrations, creating a growing sense of confrontation and loss of government control.
In Lahore, protests took an ugly turn when demonstrators blocked major roads such as Mall Road and set a vehicle on fire at Shahdara Chowk. They also blocked railway tracks in the area.
Lahore police had to resort to tear gas shelling to disperse the protesters. Further contingents of Rangers have been summoned to the site of protests. Metro bus services have been suspended. Several protesters have been detained.
In Karachi, protesters that had been staging a sit-in at the Numaish Chowrangi since morning shut down the access roads and forcefully closed all the shops in the area. Meanwhile, protests have also sprung up in various other parts of the city.
Some security officials reportedly called for martial law to be imposed, although the army said it would act only on civilian orders.
