Pakistan: Police remove demonstrators in Islamabad November 25 /update 5

Event

At least two people died and over 250 people were injured on Saturday, November 25, after police forcibly removed members of religious parties holding a sit-in at Islamabad’s Faizabad Interchange (junction). Police forces used tear gas to disperse the crowds and arrested over 100 demonstrators. Additionally, protesters reportedly attempted to break into the unoccupied home of Law and Justice Minister Zahid Hamid.

Reports say smaller protests broke out in Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore, causing officials to close the road from Lahore to prevent demonstrators from joining the larger protests in Islamabad. Furthermore, authorities temporarily shut down all non-state-run television channels to prevent coverage of the police operation.

Continued clashes between the demonstrators and police, along with persistent traffic disruptions, are possible in the coming hours.

Context

The groups ignored a final ultimatum by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to disperse by midnight (local time) on Friday, November 24. The IHC originally ordered protesters to end their ongoing sit-in at the Faizabad Interchange in Islamabad on November 16, and issued a second warning on November 17. The Faizabad Interchange, which connects Islamabad with nearby Rawalpindi, has been occupied by supporters of several Islamist parties for the past two weeks. The protesters have thus far refused to comply with the government's ultimatums. Officials have placed shipping containers on adjacent roads to contain the protesters, resulting in significant traffic disruptions within and around Islamabad. The protests have been organized to demand the removal of Minister Hamid, who has made several controversial statements regarding Islam angering hardliner groups.

Large-scale religious violence is not unheard of in Islamabad; in 2007, clashes between supporters of fundamentalist preachers and Pakistani authorities resulted in over 100 deaths.

Advice

Individuals in Islamabad are advised to avoid the area due to the risk of violence, anticipate transportation disruptions, and monitor the situation.