Accessibility links

Breaking News

Pakistani Cleric Threatens March To Topple Government


Supporters of Tahir-ul Qadri,hold his portrait during a protest in Karachi on June 19, 2014.
Supporters of Tahir-ul Qadri,hold his portrait during a protest in Karachi on June 19, 2014.

A Pakistani cleric has threatened to march on the capital and overthrow the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after authorities allegedly detained hundreds of his followers.

Tahir-ul Qadri said on August 7 that more than 500 of his followers have been arrested by police in a campaign of intimidation.

A statement released by his Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) party cited Qadri as saying: "If the government continues with the arrests of PAT workers or tries to arrest me, we will have no option left to immediately announce a call for the revolution."

Qadri has also called for a demonstration in the eastern city of Lahore on August 10.

It was immediately unclear how many of Qadri's supporters were arrested.

In June, clashes between Qadri supporters and police left 14 activists dead.

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters

XS
SM
MD
LG