Tight security in Pakistan to maintain order during protests

Thousands of army, paramilitary and police personnel were deployed in cities across Pakistan today in view of nationwide protests by various groups over the killing of 11 people in sectarian clashes in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.
The Wafaqul Madaris al-Arabia, an umbrella body of madrassas, is observing a countrywide "protest day" over the killings and violence in Rawalpindi last week.
The violence in Rawalpindi erupted when a Muharram procession organised by Shias was passing by a Sunni seminary. Both Shias and Sunnis were killed and over 50 were injured.
The Difa-e-Pakistan Council, a grouping of extremist organisations formed by Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed, extended its support to the "peaceful protest".

The Karachi chapter of Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal Jamaat, a front for the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba, organised rallies to protest an attack on a mosque in Rawalpindi and killing of people.
Protest rallies were organised in several cities after the Friday prayers. Educational institutions in Rawalpindi were closed. The link road between the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad was closed.

In Islamabad, protestors marched in a rally from the radical Lal Mosque to the National Press Club. The federal capital's "Red Zone", which houses parliament, Supreme Court, key government buildings and the diplomatic enclave, was shut down.
The government of Punjab province deployed army and paramilitary Pakistan Rangers in 13 districts as part of security arrangements.

The Rangers were mobilised to support local police while the army was put on standby.
In Lahore, police set up check points in several areas of the city. Police and army were deployed in several areas of Multan and private educational institutions were closed.
Pillion riding was banned in Faisalabad, where over 500 mosques and 25 imambargahs or Shia prayer halls were declared sensitive.
A rally organised in Quetta culminated at the press club. Several markets in the capital of Balochistan province were closed.
In the northwestern city of Peshawar, the Frontier Constabulary was called out to thwart any untoward incident.

In Karachi, roads adjoining to Gurumandir were blocked with empty containers while police and Rangers were deployed to maintain law and order.