Many Killed in Pakistan Protests against Anti-Islam Film, Cartoons
Violent crowds furious over an anti-Islamic film made in the United States convulsed Pakistan’s largest cities on Friday, leaving up to 19 people dead and more than 160 injured in a day of government-sanctioned protests.
It was the worst single day of violence in a Muslim country over the film, “Innocence of Muslims,” since protests began nearly two weeks ago in Egypt, before spreading to two dozen countries. Protesters have ignored the United States government’s denunciation of the film.
Friday’s violence in Pakistan began with a television station employee dying from gunshot wounds during a protest in the northwestern city of Peshawar, then was amplified through armed protests in the southern port of Karachi that left between 12 and 14 people dead, Pakistani news media reported.
By nightfall Geo, the leading television station, was reporting 19 deaths in the country.
Some protesters tried to reach the city’s heavily guarded American consulate, which has a strong Central Intelligence Agency component.
By evening, hospital officials said at least five people were dead and more than 50 injured.
After Friday prayers, more severe violence erupted in Islamabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan and Karachi, where normally bustling streets were instead filled with clouds of tear gas and the sound of gunfire.
Protesters in Karachi burned effigies, stoned a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet and engaged in armed clashes with police that left 14 people dead and over 80 wounded by evening.
Peaceful protests had been approved by Pakistan’s government which declared Friday a national holiday, the “Day of Love for the Prophet Muhammad,” as part of an effort to either control, or politically capitalize on, rage against the inflammatory film, which denigrates Prophet Muhammad.
By Sadroddin Musawi
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