Cops, protesters clash in Pakistan

Islamabad: Two protesters, one security person were killed  while more than 200 hundred injured as security forces clashed with the protesters who had been camping in Pakisrtani capital Islamabad for the last 20 days. Later, the security forces suspended the operation as thousands of people were reported to have joined the protesters.

Protesters, led by radical religious outfit, Tehreek-i-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah, have been demanding resignation of law minister Zahid Hamid as they hold him responsible for amendment in the Pakistan Election Act 2017 which had made changes in oath taken by the parliamentarians, not making it mandatory for all to declare “faith the  finality of Prophet Muhammad.” The government later through Parliament dropped the change and termed it as a clerical mistake which was corrected. But the protesters want law minister to resign and government efforts to strike a reconciliation deal with them have failed.

On Friday, Islamabad high court had ordered the federal capital administration to end the ongoing Faizabad sit-in by Sunday. After last warning to protesters to disperse, the security personnel resorted to use of force.

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 on Saturday.

An Islamabad police spokesperson confirmed that a policeman was killed in the fighting after he was struck in the head by a rock. Television footage showed a police van and demonstrators´ tents on fire.

The sit-in by the little-known hardline group called Tehrik-e-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah Pakistan has blocked a main highway used by thousands of commuters since November 6, causing hours-long traffic snarls and enraging commuters.

The protesters are demanding that Pakistan´s law minister Zahid Hamid resign over a hastily-abandoned amendment to the oath that election candidates must swear. On Friday, Islamabad High Court had ordered the federal capital administration to end the ongoing Faizabad sit-in by Sunday.

The authorities suspended the transmission of the television channels as more and more people joined the protesters across the country. The roads were blocked and clashes were reported. Meanwhile on Saturday, a bomb blast in the city left as many as four people dead and at least 16 injured.

According to police, the target of the bomb blast was a Frontier Corps vehicle which was passing through when the bomb blast occurred. The blast occurred on Saryab Road, which was considered as one of the most dangerous routes. Injured and bodies of the dead were shifted to the hospital.