The Army’s famed 111 brigade been called out in support of the civilian administration in Islamabad after hundreds of crazed supporter of Mumtaz Qadri clashed with police, burnt dozens of vehicles and even managed to reach the Parliament House.
In a message on Twitter, DG ISPR Asim Bajwa said that army has been requisitioned by the Govt to control situation and secure Red Zone.
The move comes hours after supporters of Qadri gathered in Islamabad’s twin city Rawalpindi in the afternoon to mark his Chehlum, before turning toward the heavily-barricaded capital which was patrolled by hundreds of police and paramilitary soldiers.
Riot police carrying batons and shields fired tear gas to try to prevent them pushing closer to the city centre, leading to a clash.
Rangers officer Colonel Amanullah and other security personnel were injured in stone pelting from protesters.
Demonstrators torched many CDA vehicles and private cars on their towards Parliament House.
A metro bus station at China Chowk was set on fire by the demonstrators. They also set ablaze three motorcycles parked at the metro station.
On Saturday a group of angry men at a Islamabad airport assaulted a former pop star in the latest case of vigilante violence linked to blasphemy.
Ex-singer Junaid Jamshed, who is now a prominent evangelist, was leaving Islamabad airport on Saturday night when he was set upon by a group of around six men who were waiting to attack him at the exit.
The incident was captured on mobile phone video and has been widely viewed.
