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Pakistan police and Qadri supporters in deadly clash | Pakistan police and Qadri supporters in deadly clash |
(about 7 hours later) | |
At least six people have been killed in Pakistan's Punjab province, in clashes between police and supporters of anti-government cleric Tahirul Qadri. | |
Four protesters and two policemen died in clashes that followed the closure of roads into provincial capital Lahore. | |
Mr Qadri was due to hold a large demonstration in the city on Sunday but told supporters to abandon the plans. | |
The event was partly to protest against the deaths of at least eight Qadri supporters in at a rally in June. | |
The cleric said that the latest clashes began on Friday when police tried to stop convoys of protesters gathering near his home in Lahore. | The cleric said that the latest clashes began on Friday when police tried to stop convoys of protesters gathering near his home in Lahore. |
Representatives for Mr Qadri claimed that seven of his supporters were shot dead by police. | |
After the deaths, the cleric called on his supporters to abandon the planned rally in Lahore. | |
Police said they fired tear gas and that about 20 officers were wounded, in addition to the two who were killed. Around 500 protesters were also arrested, police said. | |
Qadri supporters briefly abducted six police officers, before releasing them unharmed. | |
Military ties | Military ties |
Mr Qadri, who until recently was based in Canada, returned to Pakistan in June and is one of Pakistan's most prominent political and religious figures. | Mr Qadri, who until recently was based in Canada, returned to Pakistan in June and is one of Pakistan's most prominent political and religious figures. |
He leads the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) party and has condemned the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as corrupt. | He leads the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) party and has condemned the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as corrupt. |
Mr Qadri says he plans to lead a peaceful revolt against Mr Sharif, who he says has failed to solve basic problems such as unemployment and frequent electricity outages. | Mr Qadri says he plans to lead a peaceful revolt against Mr Sharif, who he says has failed to solve basic problems such as unemployment and frequent electricity outages. |
At least eight people were killed when police in Lahore used live ammunition against his followers last month. | At least eight people were killed when police in Lahore used live ammunition against his followers last month. |
Correspondents say there is widespread suspicion in Pakistan that Mr Qadri's return was encouraged by Pakistan's powerful military, following recent tensions with the prime minister. | Correspondents say there is widespread suspicion in Pakistan that Mr Qadri's return was encouraged by Pakistan's powerful military, following recent tensions with the prime minister. |
Mr Qadri has called for a military-backed government to take over from Mr Sharif, but has denied being supported by the army. | Mr Qadri has called for a military-backed government to take over from Mr Sharif, but has denied being supported by the army. |
Opposition politician Imran Khan is also due to lead a large demonstration in Islamabad on Thursday. | Opposition politician Imran Khan is also due to lead a large demonstration in Islamabad on Thursday. |
He says there were irregularities in the last year's parliamentary elections, in which his Tehreek-e-Insaf party came second. | He says there were irregularities in the last year's parliamentary elections, in which his Tehreek-e-Insaf party came second. |
Police have already blocked off many roads around Islamabad ahead of Mr Khan's protest. | Police have already blocked off many roads around Islamabad ahead of Mr Khan's protest. |