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Islamists call for Sharia law in Pakistan after Salman Taseer blasphemy row | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Thousands of protesters have clashed with police in Islamabad in the second day of protests over blasphemy laws in Pakistan. | |
Demonstrators gathered outside Parliament and other key buildings to demanding authorities implement Sharia, or Islamic law. | Demonstrators gathered outside Parliament and other key buildings to demanding authorities implement Sharia, or Islamic law. |
As many as 25,000 protesters occupied the high-security zone in Islamabad to press their demands, with some setting fire to cars. The army was deployed on Sunday to contain the rioters. | As many as 25,000 protesters occupied the high-security zone in Islamabad to press their demands, with some setting fire to cars. The army was deployed on Sunday to contain the rioters. |
Demonstrators marched from the garrison town of Rawalpindi to Islamabad in protest at the execution of Mumtaz Qadri, who some hard-line Muslims consider a hero for murdering Punjab province governor Salman Taseer. | |
In January 2011, Qadri shot Mr Taseer 28 times for defending a Christian woman jailed on blasphemy charges. | In January 2011, Qadri shot Mr Taseer 28 times for defending a Christian woman jailed on blasphemy charges. |
Mr Taseer had criticised Pakistan's harsh blasphemy laws after Aasia Bibi was sentenced to death for allegedly insulting Islam and promoting her own faith. | Mr Taseer had criticised Pakistan's harsh blasphemy laws after Aasia Bibi was sentenced to death for allegedly insulting Islam and promoting her own faith. |
Qadri told police he had killed the governor because he had spoken out against the blasphemy laws - at the time of the murder, thousands took to the streets in support of Qadri's views. | Qadri told police he had killed the governor because he had spoken out against the blasphemy laws - at the time of the murder, thousands took to the streets in support of Qadri's views. |
In recent weeks, Pakistan's Islamist parties have been threatening widespread demonstrations to protest what they say is Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's pro-western stance. | In recent weeks, Pakistan's Islamist parties have been threatening widespread demonstrations to protest what they say is Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's pro-western stance. |
Earlier this month, the prime minister officially recognised holidays celebrated by the country's minority religious - the Hindu festival of Holi and the Christian Easter. | Earlier this month, the prime minister officially recognised holidays celebrated by the country's minority religious - the Hindu festival of Holi and the Christian Easter. |
They have also denounced draft legislation in Punjab outlawing violence against women. | They have also denounced draft legislation in Punjab outlawing violence against women. |
A breakaway Taliban faction, which publicly supports Isis, claimed responsibility for a suicide bomb attack targeting Christians gathered for Easter. | A breakaway Taliban faction, which publicly supports Isis, claimed responsibility for a suicide bomb attack targeting Christians gathered for Easter. |
At least 72 people - including 29 children - were killed in the attack on Sunday when the bomber struck in a busy park in the eastern city of Lahore, the power base of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. | |
Pope Francis condemned the attack as "hideous" and demanded that Pakistani authorities protect religious minorities. | |
Pakistan is a majority-Muslim state but has a Christian population of more than two million. |
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