M A I N   N E W S

Pak standoff turns violent; protester killed
Afzal Khan in Islamabad & PTI

Sharif under siege, Pak in turmoil yet again The police fired tear gas at thousands of protesters as they marched towards the PM’s house in Islamabad breaking through security cordons A woman was killed as the police later opened fire and lathicharged the protesters. Several persons were also injured Before the protesters set off on their march, the Interior Ministry announced that soldiers would be deployed to stop the protesters

Thousands of anti-government protesters armed with sticks broke through security cordons and marched towards the residence of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, forcing the police to open fire. Sources said a woman was killed in the firing and many others were injured.

Unconfirmed reports said 7 people were killed, and that a section of the protesters broke through the parliament gate.

The police used tear gas and lathicharged the protesters, who used cutters to penetrate barbed wire barricades. Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and cleric Tahir ul-Qadri's supporters have laid a seige to key buildings such as the National Assembly and the Supreme Court since August 14 demanding Sharif's resignation over poll rigging and the death of 14 Qadri supporters in police firing early this year. "I will lead the march to the PM House. All my supporters should follow me," Khan said.