Pakistan: Anti-Myanmar protests in Islamabad, Karachi September 8 and 10

Event

The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) political party announced on Thursday, September 7, that it will hold anti-Myanmar protests in Islamabad on Friday, September 8. The protest march will begin at the Aabpara Chowk and proceed to the Myanmar embassy. Pakaistani security officials have announced that they will seal off the area around the Diplomatic Enclave on Friday. Clashes between protestors and security forces are possible.

JI leaders also announced that it will hold another anti-Myanmar protest march in Karachi on Sunday, September 10. The march will begin at the Mazar-e-Quaid, and will proceed along the M.A. Jinnah Road to Tibet Center. Expect increased security measures and localized traffic disuptions.

Context

Myanmar security forces have been carrying out brutal retaliatory attacks on the Rohingya community after the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), a Rohingya insurgent group, launched a series of coordinated attacks on various police posts on August 24.

The current clashes and ensuing government crackdown are the result of months of simmering violence and ethnic tensions between the Myanmar Buddhist majority and Rohingya Muslim minority. The ongoing persecution of the latter has drawn widespread international criticism and continues to be condemned by human rights groups amid accusations of ethnic cleansing.

Advice

Individuals in the Islamabad and Karachi are advised to exercise extreme caution and to avoid all protests. As a reminder, Western governments advise their citizens against nonessential travel to Pakistan due to a nationwide high threat from terrorism, kidnapping, and sectarian violence. Travel should only be considered with strict security protocols in place.​