Pakistan: Protests continue Nov. 26; further violence possible /update 6

Event

Crowds have continued to gather in Islamabad on the morning of Sunday, November 26, as the government has called on the army to restore order in the capital.  Protesters have been gathering at Faizabad Interchange, Kachnar Park, Sohan, and Taramri Chowk. Authorities have temporarily shut down all non-state-run television channels to prevent coverage of the police operation to remove protesters, while access to social media (including Facebook, YouTube and Twitter) is also suspended. Though the military said on Sunday morning that it was “fully ready” to assist, there is currently no indication that troops have been deployed in the capital.

Gatherings are likely to persist in Islamabad, Lahore and other cities throughout Sunday. As of Sunday, November 26, the Grand Trunk Road Motorway, connecting Lahore and Islamabad, remains closed. Continued clashes between the demonstrators and security forces, along with road closures and significant traffic disruptions, are possible. 

Context

At least two people died and over 250 people were injured on Saturday after police forcibly removed members of religious parties holding a sit-in at Islamabad’s Faizabad Interchange (junction). 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.

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 to end their sit-in. 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 Law and Justice Minister Zahid 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 Pakistan are advised to closely monitor the situation and to avoid any gatherings due to the risk of associated violence.  Transportation disruptions should be anticipated in Islamabad, Lahore and other cities over the coming days.