Clashes have broken out in Pakistan as two large protest rallies converge on the capital. Stones and shoes were thrown at the car of opposition leader Imran Khan, but he is reported to be uninjured.
Clashes broke out in the Pakistani city of Gujranwala on Friday, as tens of thousands of protesters continue their march on the capital, Islamabad.
Stones and shoes hit the car of cricket-star-turned-politician Imran Khan as he led his supporters through the eastern city, but he remained uninjured, according to his aides. His spokeswoman, Aneela Khan, said the convoy he was heading was attacked by a mob, but that police had not intervened.
She also said shots had been fired at Khan's car, but this has not been confirmed.
Khan and firebrand cleric Tahir ul-Qadri are both leading protest processions toward Islamabad, where they plan to stage a sit-in until Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigns.
The protesters set off on their march on Thursday from the eastern city of Lahore, and it is still unclear when they will reach Islamabad.
High security
Security in the capital is tight, and several main roads have been blocked by shipping containers and barbed wire in a bid to hinder the marchers.
The protests are being fueled by dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the economy, amid high unemployment, spiralling crime rates and frequent power shortages.
Some members of Sharif's ruling party have also suggested the protests may be backed by elements in the military, where many are angry at the prosecution of former army chief and president Pervez Musharraf for treason. The military is also at odds with the government about how to deal with a Taliban insurgency, with the army favoring military action while the government prefers peace talks.
Electoral irregularities
Khan, who leads the third largest legislative bloc in the country, is also protesting against alleged electoral irregularities in last year's polls.
The polls saw Sharif elected in the first democratic transfer of power the country has known.
Supporters of Qadri have been additionally angered by the police killing of several of his followers in Lahore in June and this month. Qadri puts the death toll at 22, while police have confirmed 11 deaths. Police say 2,000 of Qadri's supporters have also been arrested this month.Clashes broke out in the Pakistani city of Gujranwala on Friday, as tens of thousands of protesters continue their march on the capital, Islamabad.
Stones and shoes hit the car of cricket-star-turned-politician Imran Khan as he led his supporters through the eastern city, but he remained uninjured, according to his aides. His spokeswoman, Aneela Khan, said the convoy he was heading was attacked by a mob, but that police had not intervened.
She also said shots had been fired at Khan's car, but this has not been confirmed.
Khan and firebrand cleric Tahir ul-Qadri are both leading protest processions toward Islamabad, where they plan to stage a sit-in until Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigns.
The protesters set off on their march on Thursday from the eastern city of Lahore, and it is still unclear when they will reach Islamabad.
High security
Security in the capital is tight, and several main roads have been blocked by shipping containers and barbed wire in a bid to hinder the marchers.
The protests are being fueled by dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the economy, amid high unemployment, spiralling crime rates and frequent power shortages.
Some members of Sharif's ruling party have also suggested the protests may be backed by elements in the military, where many are angry at the prosecution of former army chief and president Pervez Musharraf for treason. The military is also at odds with the government about how to deal with a Taliban insurgency, with the army favoring military action while the government prefers peace talks.
Electoral irregularities
Khan, who leads the third largest legislative bloc in the country, is also protesting against alleged electoral irregularities in last year's polls.
The polls saw Sharif elected in the first democratic transfer of power the country has known.
Supporters of Qadri have been additionally angered by the police killing of several of his followers in Lahore in June and this month. Qadri puts the death toll at 22, while police have confirmed 11 deaths. Police say 2,000 of Qadri's supporters have also been arrested this month.
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