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Eight die as Pakistan police and protesters clash

Political leader describes those who died as 'martyrs'
Eight die as Pakistan police and protesters clash

A supporter of cleric Tahir ul Qadri is seized by police during the clash in which seven protesters died. Picture: AFP Photo/Arif Ali

Published: June 18, 2014 03:40 AM GMT
Updated: June 17, 2014 05:32 PM GMT

A deadly clash on Tuesday between riot police and supporters of an opposition political party leader killed at least eight people and left another 97 wounded in Pakistan's Punjab province, officials said.

The clashes broke out after police tried to dismantle barricades in front of the Lahore residence of Tahir ul Qadri, founder and chairman of the Pakistan Awami Tehrik (Pakistan People's Movement).

Qadri, an Islamic cleric who now lives in Canada, announced a plan to return to Pakistan on June 23 to lead what he calls a "peaceful revolution" against the current government.

Two women were among the victims.

Addressing his supporters via video link from Canada, Qadri described the deaths of his supporters as "state terrorism".

"The blood of my followers will not go in vain. Their martyrdoms will only be compensated with the riddance of tyrant rulers," he said.

The cleric directly blamed Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and senior members of his cabinet and the Pakistan Muslim League party for police fire on protesters.

"How is it possible that hundreds of cops beat up innocent people for hours just a kilometer from Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s house … and he was not aware of it? I don't believe it."

Sharif, who is brother of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, confirmed the deaths of eight people, rejected Qadri's allegations and ordered a judicial probe.

During a press conference, Lahore police chief Chaudhry Shafiq Gujjar accused Qadri’s supporters of firing on policemen.

"Police had to retaliate when they were fired upon," Gujjar said, adding that barricades had made the locality a no-go area.

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