Pakistani Protesters Clash With Police | WPN World People News

Protesters carrying sticks and stones clashed anew with police in Pakistan's capital Monday.

The demonstrators have been protesting for weeks, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Despite heavy rain, crowds of protesters tried to break through police lines to push their way to the prime minister's residence in Islamabad. Police responded by firing tear gas.

Pakistani opposition leader Imran Khan is vowing not to call off the anti-government protests until the prime minister resigns.

Khan urged supporters in Islamabad Sunday night to confront the police and show resolve against what he called its illegal crackdown on peaceful demonstrators.

Pakistan's powerful military held an unprecedented Sunday meeting of its top commanders who say the government should immediately end the standoff peacefully.

Army Chief General Raheel Sharif (no relation to PM Nawaz) warns that further use of force will only aggravate the unrest.

Thousands of protesters have been camped out in Islamabad for more than two weeks, demanding PM Sharif quit. The opposition charges him with massive fraud in last year's election. International observers have said the vote was largely free and fair.

Police have also attacked television crews and reporters covering the protests. Police have been seen dragging journalists out of vans and beating them with sticks. Some have been seriously hurt. A government minister has promised to investigate brutality against the press.

Source: Voice of America