ISLAMABAD: Fierce clashes erupted between law-enforcers and protesters in Islamabad late Saturday night as protesters attempted to march towards the Prime Minister House.
Tear-gas and rubber bullets have been used by police, while protesters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) have responded with pelting stones.
The clashes come on the 14th day of sit-ins in the capital, which had thus far remained without incident.
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- Protesters have broken the gates of Parliament House using a truck and have entered the compound.
- At least 294 people have been injured thus far, including at least 15 women, six children, 38 policemen and four FC personnel.
- Clashes have also been reported in Lahore between PTI supporters and Punjab Police
- Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has announced a day of mourning to be observed in Karachi today (Sunday).
- MQM chief Altaf Hussain has asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to step down.
Read our coverage of PTI’s Azadi March here and the Inqilab March here.
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August 31, 6:10am
Naveed Razzaq, 45, is the first confirmed casualty, who drowned after falling into a seven-foot, water-filled ditch, near the Secretariat Square. The ditch had been dug for the ongoing Metro Bus project.
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August 31, 6:02am
Heavy contingents of police have arrived to relive the officers on overnight duty near the PTV building.
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August 31, 5:50am
Imran Khan re-emerges atop his container, says they will confront the police. He adds that they will not spare Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif.
NS has made Shahrah e Dastoor a battle field,firing and shelling on protesters pic.twitter.com/5efAcRYf4i
— Ejaz Chaudhary (@EjazChaudhary) August 31, 2014
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August 31, 5:44am
Police has again started heavy shelling of tear gas near Secretariat Square.
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August 31, 5:36am
Express News reports that there are reports of a number of people who have fallen into a seven foot deep ditch near the Secretariat Square which had been dug as part of the Metro Bus construction.
According to rescue officials, people fell into the ditch overnight due to darkness.
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August 31, 5:07am
Imran Khan appears atop his container. Says they are peaceful, and were protesting peacefully when they were attacked.
The PTI chief added that they will register an FIR over the attack. “First, Shahbaz Sharif in Model Town attacked unarmed civilians, and now here [Islamabad], unarmed people were attacked.”
Imran said Sunday will be a decisive day, and they will protest all over Pakistan.
Just visited #PIMS, more than 300 injured including children nd women. Zulam c haq ki awaz dabaie nahi ja sakti.
— Murad Saeed (@MuradSaeedPTI) August 31, 2014
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August 31, 4:30am
Express News reports that police has resorted heavy shelling of teargas near the Cabinet Division.
This Express News screen grab shows police officials in riot gear at the entrance of the PIMS hospital in Islamabad
Paramedics move an injured policeman at a hospital after clashes with protesters in Islamabad on August 31, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
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August 31, 4:27am
PAT’s Umar Riaz says that they had promised to remain peaceful, but as they marched, the police suddenly started to fire tear gas shells. He added a number of PAT workers and members of their leadership were injrued in police shelling.
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