The Pakistani government wants to use army against Islamist activists. Soldiers should help civil institutions to restore security and order, Ministry of Interior shared. In capital of Islamabad, riots had previously occurred when police wanted to vacate a protest camp of movement Tehreek Labaik ya Rasool Allah.

There should have been at least five deaths, more than 130 were injured. The at least 1,500 participants of protest camp have been occupying an important road intersection in capital for 20 days. They are calling for removal of Minister of Justice Zahid Hamid, whom y accuse of blasphemy.

According to state television, Ministry of Interior informed that army soldiers had been instructed to help police evacuate intersection. However, it was unclear when bet would begin. Initially, according to news agency AP, army was not yet visible in area.

Many injured police officers

The government had initially tried to end protest peacefully, and in ir opinion a force could destabilize country. A court, however, had ordered to dissolve rally, and had set a deadline for it, which expired on Saturday night. However, demonstrators did not concede camp. Policemen and paramilitary forces n went against m with water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets.

There are also many police officers among injured. A senior police chief, however, rejected reports that a policeman was killed in clashes.

The Islamists accuse Minister Hamid of having changed an oath that candidates must make for elections. According to Islamists, it is a step to allow minority of Ahmadis to vote. Ahmadis is an Islamic community that is not recognized as Muslims in Pakistan. The Minister himself spoke of a mistake that had been corrected.

The movement Tehreek Labaik ya Rasool Allah, who also has a party political arm, was founded in summer of 2015. It is committed to introducing Sharia law in Pakistan in a legal, gradual process.

Date Of Update: 26 November 2017, 12:03