Pakistan police kill three protesters
Islamic fundamentalists staged a nationwide strike in Pakistan today in protest at President Pervez Musharraf's support for US strikes on Afghanistan, bringing many parts of the country to a standstill.
Three protesters were killed in the central city of D G Khan.
The Afghan Defence Council, an alliance of 35 Islamic groups, organised the strike to denounce Musharraf and express support for Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban movement.
‘‘After today’s successful strike Musharraf has no right to remain in power after and he should step down," said Maulana Samiul Haq, head of the council.
Violence broke out in D G Khan, where about 1,000 protesters blocked the railway track and the main road running through the city, 300 miles south of the capital Islamabad.
Protesters threw stones and fired shots when police tried to remove them. Police fired back, killing three protesters, Deputy Mayor Hafiz Khalid said.
In the volatile port city of Karachi, about 200 students blocked a road with burning tires and threw stones at cars. Police dispersed the group with baton charges and tear gas.
In overnight raids Pakistan arrested around 500 activists across the country in an attempt to limit the protests. Those detained were expected to be released this evening, government officials said.
