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Pakistan Protests Escalate, Sharif Alleges Death Threat

Dozens beaten and arrested as 'long march' to Islamabad begins

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 12, 2009 7:00 AM CDT

(Newser) – Pakistani police continued their crackdown on protesters today as Nawaz Sharif, a former PM turned opposition leader, accused the government of conspiring to kill him. Political activists and the country's lawyers defied a ban on protests, facing beatings and arrests in demonstrations from Karachi to Lahore. Sharif said he had information about "threats to my life" from "certain top-most people in the government," a claim the president's office called "outlandish."

Sharif fell out with President Asif Ali Zardari after the latter failed to fulfill a campaign pledge to reinstate some 60 judges sacked by Pervez Musharraf during the 2007 state of emergency. Sharif—himself ousted from office by a court decision—now calls the civilian government an "elected dictatorship" and is demanding "the rule of law back in to this country." Demonstrators set out on a "long march" today from the south of Pakistan that will arrive in Islamabad on Monday.

Pakistani lawyers and members of civil rights movement march along a street as they take part in a demonstration in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, March 12, 2009.
Pakistani lawyers and members of civil rights movement march along a street as they take part in a demonstration in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, March 12, 2009.   (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari attends in a summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization in Tehran, Iran on Wednesday March, 11, 2009.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari attends in a summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization in Tehran, Iran on Wednesday March, 11, 2009.   (AP Photo/Hasan Sarbakhshian)
Authorities arrested at least 60 more political activists as they extended a nationwide crackdown Thursday aimed at thwarting plans to head to Pakistan's capital and surround parliament.
Authorities arrested at least 60 more political activists as they extended a nationwide crackdown Thursday aimed at thwarting plans to head to Pakistan's capital and surround parliament.   (AP Photo/Shakil Adil)
Authorities arrested at least 60 more political activists as they extended a nationwide crackdown Thursday aimed at thwarting plans to head to Pakistan's capital and surround parliament.
Authorities arrested at least 60 more political activists as they extended a nationwide crackdown Thursday aimed at thwarting plans to head to Pakistan's capital and surround parliament.   (AP Photo/Shakil Adil)
Opposition leader Nawaz Sharif addresses his supporters in Abbotabad, Pakistan on Wednesday, March 11, 2009.
Opposition leader Nawaz Sharif addresses his supporters in Abbotabad, Pakistan on Wednesday, March 11, 2009.   (Associated Press)
Pakistani opposition leader Nawaz Sharif gestures during an interview in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Feb. 27, 2009.
Pakistani opposition leader Nawaz Sharif gestures during an interview in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Feb. 27, 2009.   (AP Photo/K.M.Chaudary)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Chudluv
Mar 12, 2009 6:05 AM CDT
Bad feeling that We might have to step in and control Pakistan's nukes if things don't turn around here soon.

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