Pakistani Cleric Threatens March To Topple Government

A Pakistani cleric has threatened to march on the capital and overthrow the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after authorities allegedly detained hundreds of his followers.

Tahir-ul-Qadri said on August 7 that more than 500 of his followers have been arrested by police in a campaign of intimidation.

A statement released by his Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) party cited Qadri as saying: "If the government continues with the arrests of PAT workers or tries to arrest me, we will have no option left to immediately announce a call for the revolution."

Qadri has also called for a demonstration in the eastern city of Lahore on August 10.

Rana Mashhood, law minister for the Punjab province, confirmed that 32 of the cleric's supporters have been arrested after previous denials by the authorities.

In June, clashes between Qadri supporters and police left 14 activists dead.

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters