Enflamed passions: Army deployed in Multan, as security heightened in Punjab
Interior Ministry decides to suspend cellular networks in Islamabad from 1am to 2pm on Nov 17, indefinitely in Pindi.
Army units (foreground) deployed along with heavy contingents of police (background) in Multan following clashes. PHOTO: SHAHID SAEED/EXPRESS
MULTAN:
At least 40 people have been injured and five motorcycles were burnt in sectarian clashes in Multan as riots spread to more than half of the urban areas of Multan prompting the civil administration to call in Army and Rangers to control the situation. The situation in other cities of Punjab remain tense with a curfew in Rawalpindi still in effect.
Out of the total 40 injured, 25 are said to be in critical condition and have been taken to the emergency ward of Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Three policemen are among the critically-injured.
Owing to the worsening condition, Section 144 has been imposed in Multan.
A day after sectarian clashes in Rawalpindi killed eight people, and injured over 80, the situation in Multan worsened on Saturday morning when local clerics of Jamia Mosque Omar Farooq claimed that a group had raised objectionable slogans outside their mosque. The clerics then demanded that they wanted to lodge an FIR against the group.
Riots then broke out after a mob tried to attack Imambargah Shah Yousuf Gardez and - after facing resistance from the police - they went on to damage public property in parts of the city.
This resulted in furious clashes and the district administration, without waiting for the police, immediately called the Pakistan Army and Rangers in to control the situation.
There was an exchange of fire in different urban areas including Bohar Gate, Ghanta Ghar, Doulat Gate, Chowk Shaeedaan and Railway Road.
Angry mobs forced markets to shut down and protestors also attacked vehicles belonging to the Multan Commissioner, accusing him of favouring the Shia community.
Police resorted to using tear-gas shells and baton charged protesters in an attempt to deter those attacking and burning public property.
Government response
The army has been put on high alert all over Punjab in wake of riots in Rawalpindi, Express News reported on Saturday.
The Punjab High Court has received an inquiry, ordered by Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, into the outbreak of violence in Rawalpindi on Friday.
The riots at an Ashura procession on Friday were a result of clashes between two groups and the culprits need to be found and apprehended, the inquiry directed.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar was also been briefed on the outbreak of violence in Rawalpindi, Express News reported.
Earlier on Saturday, Chaudhry Nisar had chaired a meeting comprising senior officers of the Interior Ministry to review the law and order situation in Rawalpindi, reported Radio Pakistan. He also held telephonic conversations with Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Nisar also appealed to the public to show restraint and to aid authorities in identifying the culprits behind the riots.
After violence broke out in Raja Bazar, Rawalpindi yesterday, a curfew had been imposed in the city on the request of the Rawalpindi Commissioner and IG Punjab. Police and Army there is currently holding the curfew and remain on high alert.
A spokesperson for the Interior Ministry stated the situation in Rawalpindi is under control and that Friday's incident will be investigated through a judicial inquiry under a judge of the high court.
The curfew in Rawalpindi was briefly relaxed for half an hour between 6:00-6:30pm, and then again from 9:30pm to 1am. The curfew is expected to come back in force after 1am on November 17, however, it has not been announced for how long will the curfew last.
The Interior Ministry has also decided to suspend mobile networks in Islamabad from 1am to 2pm on November 17, while the networks will remain suspended indefinitely in Rawalpindi, Express News reported.
Section 144 in Faisalabad
Though the Ashura processions had concluded peacefully in Faisalabad, the authorities have imposed Section 144 in the city as a preemptive security measure.
Senior police officials had held meetings with peace committees of Ulema of various sects and urged them to help the administration keep peace on Friday.
At least 40 people have been injured and five motorcycles were burnt in sectarian clashes in Multan as riots spread to more than half of the urban areas of Multan prompting the civil administration to call in Army and Rangers to control the situation. The situation in other cities of Punjab remain tense with a curfew in Rawalpindi still in effect.
Out of the total 40 injured, 25 are said to be in critical condition and have been taken to the emergency ward of Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Three policemen are among the critically-injured.
Owing to the worsening condition, Section 144 has been imposed in Multan.
A day after sectarian clashes in Rawalpindi killed eight people, and injured over 80, the situation in Multan worsened on Saturday morning when local clerics of Jamia Mosque Omar Farooq claimed that a group had raised objectionable slogans outside their mosque. The clerics then demanded that they wanted to lodge an FIR against the group.
Riots then broke out after a mob tried to attack Imambargah Shah Yousuf Gardez and - after facing resistance from the police - they went on to damage public property in parts of the city.
This resulted in furious clashes and the district administration, without waiting for the police, immediately called the Pakistan Army and Rangers in to control the situation.
There was an exchange of fire in different urban areas including Bohar Gate, Ghanta Ghar, Doulat Gate, Chowk Shaeedaan and Railway Road.
Angry mobs forced markets to shut down and protestors also attacked vehicles belonging to the Multan Commissioner, accusing him of favouring the Shia community.
Police resorted to using tear-gas shells and baton charged protesters in an attempt to deter those attacking and burning public property.
Government response
The army has been put on high alert all over Punjab in wake of riots in Rawalpindi, Express News reported on Saturday.
The Punjab High Court has received an inquiry, ordered by Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, into the outbreak of violence in Rawalpindi on Friday.
The riots at an Ashura procession on Friday were a result of clashes between two groups and the culprits need to be found and apprehended, the inquiry directed.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar was also been briefed on the outbreak of violence in Rawalpindi, Express News reported.
Earlier on Saturday, Chaudhry Nisar had chaired a meeting comprising senior officers of the Interior Ministry to review the law and order situation in Rawalpindi, reported Radio Pakistan. He also held telephonic conversations with Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Nisar also appealed to the public to show restraint and to aid authorities in identifying the culprits behind the riots.
After violence broke out in Raja Bazar, Rawalpindi yesterday, a curfew had been imposed in the city on the request of the Rawalpindi Commissioner and IG Punjab. Police and Army there is currently holding the curfew and remain on high alert.
A spokesperson for the Interior Ministry stated the situation in Rawalpindi is under control and that Friday's incident will be investigated through a judicial inquiry under a judge of the high court.
The curfew in Rawalpindi was briefly relaxed for half an hour between 6:00-6:30pm, and then again from 9:30pm to 1am. The curfew is expected to come back in force after 1am on November 17, however, it has not been announced for how long will the curfew last.
The Interior Ministry has also decided to suspend mobile networks in Islamabad from 1am to 2pm on November 17, while the networks will remain suspended indefinitely in Rawalpindi, Express News reported.
Section 144 in Faisalabad
Though the Ashura processions had concluded peacefully in Faisalabad, the authorities have imposed Section 144 in the city as a preemptive security measure.
Senior police officials had held meetings with peace committees of Ulema of various sects and urged them to help the administration keep peace on Friday.