Hundreds of hard-line activists in Pakistan have clashed with police and set fires near parliament in the capital of Islamabad to protest the execution of a man who assassinated a governor for criticizing blasphemy laws.
Police on March 27 fired tear gas at the supporters of Mumtaz Qadri, who was executed last month for the 2011 killing of a provincial governor.
Qadri was on guard duty in January 2011 when he shot dead Salman Taseer, the governor of Punjab Province who had called for reforms of Pakistan's harsh blasphemy laws.
Qadri accused Taseer of blasphemy and admitted in court that he killed the governor.
His hanging on February 29 triggered street protests in several cities where some religious figures, political leaders, and militant groups publicly defended him.
The Pakistani Army on March 27 deployed troops on the streets of Islamabad after the chaotic protest erupted.
Editors' Picks
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
Serbia Deepens Military Ties With China Through Drones, Air Defense Systems
2Several Protesters Reported Dead In Iran As Anger Builds Over Dismal Economy
3Why Are So Many Leaders Warning Of War With Russia?
4Scores Of Bodies Outside Morgue In Tehran Amid Deadly Iran Protests
5Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine Now Longer Than Soviet War Against Hitler
6EU Calls For Sanctions On Russian State TV Host, Famed Ballet Dancer
7Tanks On The Tree: Russian Military Ornaments Are Out In Force This Year
8Belarus Jailing Citizens For Supporting Ukraine's Fight Against Russia
9Costs Mount As Afghanistan-Pakistan Trade War Strands Thousands Of Trucks
10Why Israel Now Eyes Iran's Missiles Over Nukes Ahead Of Netanyahu-Trump Talks
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
