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                 Thousands Head to Opposition Rally in Pakistan

   by VOA News

   Clashes broke out Friday in the Pakistani city of Gujranwala after gun
   shots were fired at the vehicle of opposition leader Imran Khan as he
   led an anti-government march to the capital.

   The gunshots hit Khan's vehicle, but his spokeswoman said he was not
   hurt.  A stone-throwing mob also attacked Khan's convoy.

   Khan and Muslim cleric Tahir ul-Qadri are heading up the motorcade and
   march to Islamabad for a massive rally meant to unseat the government
   of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, which they say is corrupt.

   The procession to Islamabad began Thursday in Lahore, some 375
   kilometers away from the capital.

   The protest march had been banned, but the government said Thursday the
   opposition supporters would be allowed to march on the capital.

   Some 25,000 security forces are guarding the capital's streets.
   Internet and mobile services have been suspended in many areas.

   Khan and Qadri have vowed that their supporters will camp out in
   Islamabad until Sharif agrees to step down and new elections are held.
   Khan alleges that last year's election that brought Sharif's political
   party to power was rigged.

   Qadri is demanding justice after a police crackdown on an
   anti-government rally in June in which about a dozen people died. He
   says authorities are targeting his supporters using anti-terrorism
   laws.

   On Tuesday, Sharif called for a discussion of the issues rather than
   political action. He has warned against what he calls "any effort to
   create anarchy and play with the constitution," adding the government
   "will not allow anyone to paralyze the state machinery or incite bloody
   riots."
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/thousands-head-to-opposition-rally-in
   -pakistan/2414233.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/thousands-head-to-opposition-rally-in-pakistan/2414233.html