1 killed, 11 injured during protests against anti-Islam film in Karachi
Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen vows to continue protests against film until US bans it and issues an apology.
KARACHI:
One person was killed and atleast 11 injured in protests across the city against an anti-Islam film released in the US, Express News reported late Sunday night.
During the day, protests organised by the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) outside the American consulate in the city and at Numaish Chowrangi met with resistance from the police, who had resorted to using teargas, water cannons and aerial firing to disperse the rally.
The MWM ended its sit-in at Numaish late Sunday night, after their arrested members were released by the police, however vowed to continue their protest until the US banned the film and issued a formal apology.
They also announced to observe three days mourning in response to the death of an activist during the protest.
At the end of the rampage, four police mobiles had been burnt as well as a petrol pump near Numaish.
End of live updates
11:45pm:
MWM have ended their sit-in at Numaish Chowrangi after the release of their arrested members.
The group has vowed to continue their protest against the film, until the US issues an apology and bans it.
Atleast 11 protestors were confirmed injured, while four mobile police vans were burnt in the city. A petrol pump near Numaish Chowrangi was also set alight and damaged.
10:45pm:
Shia Ulema Council Pakistan (SUCP) has also announced to observe three days of mourning against the police action on the rally. They have demanded an impartial inquiry in the incident.
10:30pm:
City police chief Iqbal Mehmood told AFP at least 20 people have been arrested.
Richard Silver, a spokesman for the US consulate, said there had been no damage or injury to any personnel at the mission.
10:15pm:
According to Express News correspondent Naeem Khanzada, the protesters are still present at the Numaish Chowrangi.
The MWM leaders have demanded the authorities to take notice of the use of force against their rally.
9:12pm:
A police car and a petrol pump was set on fire in the Gurumandir area by unknown persons.
In total, four police vans have been destroyed during the protest.
The protesters, including women and children, are still present at the Numaish Chowrangi.
8:40pm:
According to MWM general secretary, around 19 people were injured during the protest.
8:25pm:
The MWM has announced to observe three days of mourning against the police action towards their rally.
According to Express News, the vehicles torched by the protesters were police cars.
7:55pm:
The protesters have reached the Numaish Chowrangi and are protesting against the film.
The MWM leaders will hold a press conference at 09:30pm to announce their future course of action.
The protesters have burnt two cars on the MA Jinnah Road.
Police have arrested six people in relation to the protests.
7:38pm:
According to Express News correspondent Naeem Khanzada, the protest outside the US consulate has ended and the protesters are now headed towards the Numaish Chowrangi.
7:09pm:
The MWM leaders have asked the protesters to immediately end the protest outside the consulate and instead stage a sit-in near the Numaish Chowrangi.
The decision has been taken after negotiations between the MWM leaders and the administration.
The MWM will decide on future course of action during the sit-in.
7:03pm:
According to Express News, one protester was killed while several got injured due to aerial-firing by police.
6:57pm:
MWM leaders have asked the protesters to stay non-violent and move back. Most of the protesters have moved back.
Few protesters are still present outside the consulate and protesting against the anti-Islam film.
Few protesters have set a police check post on fire. No fire brigade has reached the area to put out the fire.
6:47pm:
The protesters have started gathering in front of the US consulate’s main gate.
More protesters from a nearby area have joined the rally.
6:42pm:
According to MWM General Secretary, around eight protesters have been injured.
Protesters have moved back but have refused to end protest.
6:35pm:
Protesters are throwing stones at the security officials.
Three people have been injured due to the clash between the protesters and police personnel.
The injured have been shifted to a local hospital.
6:33pm:
Thousands of protesters are marching towards the US consulate to register their protest against the film.
The rally, which has reportedly reached very close to the consulate, was stopped at three different points for negotiations.
Religious parties, Christian minority groups, traders and civil society members have staged protests across Pakistan condemning the movie that has been deemed offensive by the West and the Muslim world alike. They rebuked the filmmaker for hurting the sentiments of Muslims and sabotaging interfaith harmony across the world.
One person was killed and atleast 11 injured in protests across the city against an anti-Islam film released in the US, Express News reported late Sunday night.
During the day, protests organised by the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) outside the American consulate in the city and at Numaish Chowrangi met with resistance from the police, who had resorted to using teargas, water cannons and aerial firing to disperse the rally.
The MWM ended its sit-in at Numaish late Sunday night, after their arrested members were released by the police, however vowed to continue their protest until the US banned the film and issued a formal apology.
They also announced to observe three days mourning in response to the death of an activist during the protest.
At the end of the rampage, four police mobiles had been burnt as well as a petrol pump near Numaish.
End of live updates
11:45pm:
MWM have ended their sit-in at Numaish Chowrangi after the release of their arrested members.
The group has vowed to continue their protest against the film, until the US issues an apology and bans it.
Atleast 11 protestors were confirmed injured, while four mobile police vans were burnt in the city. A petrol pump near Numaish Chowrangi was also set alight and damaged.
10:45pm:
Shia Ulema Council Pakistan (SUCP) has also announced to observe three days of mourning against the police action on the rally. They have demanded an impartial inquiry in the incident.
10:30pm:
City police chief Iqbal Mehmood told AFP at least 20 people have been arrested.
Richard Silver, a spokesman for the US consulate, said there had been no damage or injury to any personnel at the mission.
10:15pm:
According to Express News correspondent Naeem Khanzada, the protesters are still present at the Numaish Chowrangi.
The MWM leaders have demanded the authorities to take notice of the use of force against their rally.
9:12pm:
A police car and a petrol pump was set on fire in the Gurumandir area by unknown persons.
In total, four police vans have been destroyed during the protest.
The protesters, including women and children, are still present at the Numaish Chowrangi.
8:40pm:
According to MWM general secretary, around 19 people were injured during the protest.
8:25pm:
The MWM has announced to observe three days of mourning against the police action towards their rally.
According to Express News, the vehicles torched by the protesters were police cars.
7:55pm:
The protesters have reached the Numaish Chowrangi and are protesting against the film.
The MWM leaders will hold a press conference at 09:30pm to announce their future course of action.
The protesters have burnt two cars on the MA Jinnah Road.
Police have arrested six people in relation to the protests.
7:38pm:
According to Express News correspondent Naeem Khanzada, the protest outside the US consulate has ended and the protesters are now headed towards the Numaish Chowrangi.
7:09pm:
The MWM leaders have asked the protesters to immediately end the protest outside the consulate and instead stage a sit-in near the Numaish Chowrangi.
The decision has been taken after negotiations between the MWM leaders and the administration.
The MWM will decide on future course of action during the sit-in.
7:03pm:
According to Express News, one protester was killed while several got injured due to aerial-firing by police.
6:57pm:
MWM leaders have asked the protesters to stay non-violent and move back. Most of the protesters have moved back.
Few protesters are still present outside the consulate and protesting against the anti-Islam film.
Few protesters have set a police check post on fire. No fire brigade has reached the area to put out the fire.
6:47pm:
The protesters have started gathering in front of the US consulate’s main gate.
More protesters from a nearby area have joined the rally.
6:42pm:
According to MWM General Secretary, around eight protesters have been injured.
Protesters have moved back but have refused to end protest.
6:35pm:
Protesters are throwing stones at the security officials.
Three people have been injured due to the clash between the protesters and police personnel.
The injured have been shifted to a local hospital.
6:33pm:
Thousands of protesters are marching towards the US consulate to register their protest against the film.
The rally, which has reportedly reached very close to the consulate, was stopped at three different points for negotiations.
Religious parties, Christian minority groups, traders and civil society members have staged protests across Pakistan condemning the movie that has been deemed offensive by the West and the Muslim world alike. They rebuked the filmmaker for hurting the sentiments of Muslims and sabotaging interfaith harmony across the world.