Protesters seize Pakistan's State TV

1 September 2014 08:50 am - 4 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Pakistan's national television channel is back on air after security forces removed anti-government protesters from its headquarters in Islamabad.

Troops were sent in to regain control from demonstrators who had forced their way into the PTV offices.

Earlier, fresh clashes erupted between protesters and police in the capital.

Protesters loyal to opposition leader Imran Khan and cleric Tahirul Qadri want PM Nawaz Sharif to resign. He denies corruption and electoral fraud.

Both Mr Khan and Mr Qadri have urged calm and asked their supporters to co-operate with the army.

A number of policemen are reported to have been injured in Monday's violence.

Thousands of demonstrators - some wielding batons and throwing stones - moved on the main building housing Pakistan's federal bureaucracy and Prime Minister's House.

Riot police were forced to retreat from the main road in front of parliament, Constitution Avenue.

Protesters attacked vehicles and set fire to shipping containers placed on the street as roadblocks.

Crowds of angry young protesters, many wielding batons, met little resistance as they stormed the PTV building.

Private news channels showed live pictures of protesters shouting slogans and barging into recording studios and smashing equipment.

Shortly afterwards troops arrived and peacefully escorted the demonstrators out of the building before transmissions resumed.

On Sunday night protesters used trucks to smash through the outer fence of the parliament building, even though the building was guarded by troops, the BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad reports.

Demonstrators have been taking part in a sit-in in the centre of the capital for two weeks.

Protests had been peaceful until Saturday, when violence broke out.

Last year's elections marked Pakistan's first civilian transfer of power. Mr Sharif won by a landslide and BBC correspondents say the vote was deemed generally to have been fair.(BBC)
Pakistani protesters hold sticks and chant slogans after intruding into the state television building in Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday, Sept. 1, 2014.

Comments - 4

gobbaya Monday, 01 September 2014 02:32 PM

sadly the beginning of the end for Imran khanhis advisors gave him the wrong advice via DM Android App

Krishnan Monday, 01 September 2014 09:16 AM

Cricketer turned politician Imran Khan is a radical hardliner and a trouble maker. he should be kept behind bars, then every thing will be fine.

kayde Monday, 01 September 2014 05:04 PM

The next leader of Pakistan Imran Khan is no doubt whatever anyone says. via DM Android App

mount Monday, 01 September 2014 05:12 PM

Any one can say anything . Anyhow one day Imran Khan will come to power. Do you know His wife a billionaire from ISREAL . He the one open atomic bomb from Pakistan . Wait and see..

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Protesters seize Pakistan's State TV

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