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Clashes erupt in Pakistan as anti-govt protestors reach near PM’s residence

Anti-government protestor injured in police action. File pic
Anti-government protestor injured in police action. File pic

Fresh clashes have broken out between security men and anti-government protestors on Monday morning after the protestors reached near Prime Minister’s residence.

Islamabad, Sept 1/Nationalturk – The fresh clashes have broken out between security men and anti-government protestors on Monday morning after the protestors reached near Prime Minister’s residence and entered government-run-TV Pakistan TV.

Thousands of supporters of two opposition parties — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by cricketer turned politician Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) of cleric and politician Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri – are marching towards Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s residence.

Some media reports said that few hundred protestors have managed to breach the security ring around Secretariat and have entered there.  There are reports that the protestors have entered the headquarters of government-run TV channel, PTV.

The men of parliamentary Pakistan Rangers and Pakistan Army have entered the building and are trying to restore order. The Pakistan Rangers and Pakistan army officials have asked the protestors to leave the building peacefully and the protestors are leaving the place amidst chanting of pro-Pakistan and pro-Pakistan army slogans.

Earlier, police men rained tear gas shells on the protestors. Over 30 people have sustained injuries in the police action and have been hospitalised. Hundreds of policemen have been deployed in the area since Saturday to prevent protestors from entering PM’s House or any other vital government installations.

Imran asks workers to stay peaceful

Addressing his workers amidst police shelling, PTI chief Imran Khan urged them to stay calm and be peaceful, and not engage in any sort of violence.

“We don’t want any kind of bad name,” says the PTI chief, in his short address.

PAT chief Tahirul Qadri told Pakistan TV channel, Express News, that Nawaz Sharif government does not believe in anything but violence and barbarism.

“The government does not believe in democracy and does not want to carry out negotiations,” he said adding a government who believes in violence can never be successful.

Media reports said Pakistani army has strengthened their positions in key government installations and have been repeatedly urging protestors through public address system not to enter the government installations including PM’s House, President’s House, Supreme Court, Parliament etc.

Soldiers put barricades

Army men have put up barricades in a bid to stop protesters from storming the ministries inside Parliament house.

Tens of thousands of workers of PTI and PAT have been staging “freedom” and “revolution” marches since August 14 outside country’s Red Zone in capital Islamabad housing Parliament, PM House, President’s House, Supreme court and embassies of some countries. They are demanding resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

On Saturday night, when PTI and PAT workers tried to move towards PM’s residence, the policemen used excessive force to disperse them. They fired thousands of tear smoke shells and other non lethal weapons on the protestors. At least three persons have been killed and over 500 injured in the police action, which has drawn strong condemnation from almost all political parties in the country.

After the police action, PTI chief Imran Khan and PAT chief Tahir-ul-Qadri have refused to leave the place and instead asked their workers to battle on.

“We won’t leave the place without PM’s resignation,” Imran told his supporters. Cleric Qadri also said he and his supporters won’t leave the Red Zone till PM Nawaz Sharif steps down and revolution happens.

After the deadly confrontation, there are no signs of yielding up from either government and opposition side.

Army against use of force on protestors

Pakistan Army has asked government to desist from using force against protestors.

The four-hour long critical meeting of corps commanders chaired by army chief General Raheel Sharif was held on Sunday evening.

Army, in a statement issued after the meeting, reaffirmed support to democracy and reiterating that the current stand-off between PML-N led government and PTI, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) needed a political solution.

The commanders also expressed serious concern over the violent turn of events in the capital.

“The Army remains committed to playing its part in ensuring security of the state and will never fall short of meeting national aspirations,” the press release added.

The critical meeting, which was scheduled to be held on Monday morning, was pushed up to today in light of rapidly unfolding events.

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Asia News/ NationalTurk Pakistan News

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