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| Pakistan calls on army to restore order as blasphemy protests spread | Pakistan calls on army to restore order as blasphemy protests spread |
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| The Pakistani government has called on the army to restore order in Islamabad and disperse anti-blasphemy protesters who have been demonstrating in the capital for the past fortnight. | The Pakistani government has called on the army to restore order in Islamabad and disperse anti-blasphemy protesters who have been demonstrating in the capital for the past fortnight. |
| The protests, which spread on Saturday to several other cities in Pakistan, have left about 200 injured, including dozens of police officers. | The protests, which spread on Saturday to several other cities in Pakistan, have left about 200 injured, including dozens of police officers. |
| Local media reported that about 150 protesters in Islamabad had been arrested by police, who used water cannon, rubber bullets and tear gas. | Local media reported that about 150 protesters in Islamabad had been arrested by police, who used water cannon, rubber bullets and tear gas. |
| Seemingly emboldened by the failure of the government to clear the protests, which have nearly paralysed the capital, Khadim Hussain Rizvi – the firebrand cleric who leads the Tehreek-e Labbaik Pakistan party – has called for protesters to bring the whole country to a halt. | Seemingly emboldened by the failure of the government to clear the protests, which have nearly paralysed the capital, Khadim Hussain Rizvi – the firebrand cleric who leads the Tehreek-e Labbaik Pakistan party – has called for protesters to bring the whole country to a halt. |
| On Saturday, protesters also gathered in cities including Karachi, Lahore, Hyderabad and Faisalabad, blocking main roads and triggering traffic jams. | On Saturday, protesters also gathered in cities including Karachi, Lahore, Hyderabad and Faisalabad, blocking main roads and triggering traffic jams. |
| In Lahore, protesters gathered in more than 30 locations, said Kiran Nazish, a local journalist. “Young boys with batons and stones, some with faces covered. [There were] several thousands of agitators in some locations of the city, where they lit up branches to block the roads,” she said. | |
| In Karachi, protesters blocked railway tracks, preventing trains from leaving the station. Eyewitnesses said Pakistan’s largest city was largely locked down, with very little traffic moving. | In Karachi, protesters blocked railway tracks, preventing trains from leaving the station. Eyewitnesses said Pakistan’s largest city was largely locked down, with very little traffic moving. |
| A court had given the government until 18 November to clear the protests by any means necessary, but attempts at peaceful resolution had failed. | A court had given the government until 18 November to clear the protests by any means necessary, but attempts at peaceful resolution had failed. |
| Local media reported that one police officer had been killed in the clashes, but a spokesman for Islamabad police, Naeem Iqbal, denied the accounts. | Local media reported that one police officer had been killed in the clashes, but a spokesman for Islamabad police, Naeem Iqbal, denied the accounts. |
| News media also reported protesters breaking into the house of former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. | News media also reported protesters breaking into the house of former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. |
| Meanwhile, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority ordered a media blackout. Social media platforms also appeared to be temporarily suspended. | Meanwhile, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority ordered a media blackout. Social media platforms also appeared to be temporarily suspended. |
| In Islamabad, thousands of security officials were deployed to break up the protests. The government suspended public transport and advised people to stay indoors. | In Islamabad, thousands of security officials were deployed to break up the protests. The government suspended public transport and advised people to stay indoors. |
| The rallies were triggered by a change in the wording of an electoral oath for lawmakers, which protesters claim was done to appease religious minorities they consider heretics. Despite a swift reversal, protesters still demand that Pakistan’s law minister resign. | The rallies were triggered by a change in the wording of an electoral oath for lawmakers, which protesters claim was done to appease religious minorities they consider heretics. Despite a swift reversal, protesters still demand that Pakistan’s law minister resign. |
| The protests illustrate the difficulty the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party faces in dealing with religious extremists. | The protests illustrate the difficulty the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party faces in dealing with religious extremists. |
| Political defence of religion has broad public support, and previous attempts to clamp down on Islamists have led to bloodshed – most notably the siege on the Red Mosque in 2007, in which 154 people were killed. | Political defence of religion has broad public support, and previous attempts to clamp down on Islamists have led to bloodshed – most notably the siege on the Red Mosque in 2007, in which 154 people were killed. |