Anti-Islam film protests: Security heightened in Islamabad
September 21, 2012
At least five people were arrested and police used tear gas shelling to deter the protesters from entering the red zone.
Several containers have also been place around the red zone and a heavy contingent of police and Rangers have been deployed. The army is also on alert to provide security to the federal capital.
A clash took place as protesters tried to enter Islamabad via Faizabad and were stopped by the police. The Interior Ministry has banned pillion riding till 6:00 PM, while loads leading to Islamabad have been blocked.
Earlier, demonstrators from the suburban areas surrounding the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi occupied the streets in Pir Wadhai area and blocked the road for traffic.
The demonstrators kept on marching at IJP road and pelted stones on the moving vehicles.
The angry mob also torched the toll plaza at IJP road after damaging the plaza’s cabins and signboards along the road.
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan is observing Youm-e-Ishq-e-Rasool (PBUH) today. Tens of thousands of people are expected to protest as global Muslim anger mounts over a US-made anti-Islam film and blasphemous cartoons in a French magazine.
Huge crowds attempted to storm Islamabad's diplomatic enclave on Thursday, and similar demonstrations took place around the world.
The army was summoned to Islamabad to protect the diplomatic enclave and other sensitive areas of the city.
The government has called an impromptu public holiday on Friday - a "day of love for the prophet" -- and has urged people to protest peacefully to show their opposition to the crudely made "Innocence of Muslims" film.
All of Pakistan's major political parties and religious groups have announced protests, as have many trade and transport organisations.
Shops, markets and petrol stations will remain closed and transport is likely to come to a standstill, but authorities hoped there is no repeat of the violence scene on the streets of the capital on today
