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Protests continue on Sharif ban Protests continue on Sharif ban
(about 1 hour later)
Protests against a court decision to ban Pakistan's ex-PM Nawaz Sharif and his brother from elected office have entered a third day.Protests against a court decision to ban Pakistan's ex-PM Nawaz Sharif and his brother from elected office have entered a third day.
In Karachi and Lahore, lawyers boycotted court proceedings to express solidarity with the Sharifs.In Karachi and Lahore, lawyers boycotted court proceedings to express solidarity with the Sharifs.
Authorities have filed cases against 300 leaders and activists of the Sharifs' PML-N party over the protests.Authorities have filed cases against 300 leaders and activists of the Sharifs' PML-N party over the protests.
Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has held a cabinet meeting to discuss the worsening political situation.Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has held a cabinet meeting to discuss the worsening political situation.
Mr Sharif accuses President Asif Ali Zardari of influencing Wednesday's Supreme Court decision in order to remove him from politics, raising fears of renewed political turmoil.Mr Sharif accuses President Asif Ali Zardari of influencing Wednesday's Supreme Court decision in order to remove him from politics, raising fears of renewed political turmoil.
The Supreme Court upheld an earlier ban on Mr Sharif and his brother, Shahbaz, from elected office.The Supreme Court upheld an earlier ban on Mr Sharif and his brother, Shahbaz, from elected office.
Mr Sharif's PML-N holds power in Punjab province, where his brother was chief minister but has now been ordered to step down.Mr Sharif's PML-N holds power in Punjab province, where his brother was chief minister but has now been ordered to step down.
The court order has deepened the rift between the Sharifs and the federal government led by the Pakistan People's Party (PPP).The court order has deepened the rift between the Sharifs and the federal government led by the Pakistan People's Party (PPP).
ClashesClashes
About 100 protesters tried to block the main highway into the capital, Islamabad, on Friday by placing bricks and rocks on the road.About 100 protesters tried to block the main highway into the capital, Islamabad, on Friday by placing bricks and rocks on the road.
Mr Sharif has accused President Zardari of being behind the banMr Sharif has accused President Zardari of being behind the ban
Police confronted the protesters and fired several rounds of tear gas shells, forcing the crowd to disperse. Police confronted the protesters and fired several rounds of tear gas shells, forcing the crowd to disperse. About 25 protesters were rounded up into vans.
Hundreds protested in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, burning tyres, blocking roads and shouting slogans.
"PML-N spokesman Siddiqul Farooq told the AFP news agency: "Our protest is continuing. People will hold protests after Friday prayers across the country."
In Punjab province, the stronghold of the Sharifs, paramilitary troops have been put on high alert.In Punjab province, the stronghold of the Sharifs, paramilitary troops have been put on high alert.
Meanwhile, police have filed complaints against hundreds of PML-N workers in connection with Thursday's protests.Meanwhile, police have filed complaints against hundreds of PML-N workers in connection with Thursday's protests.
Incidents of violence were reported from all over Punjab province and there were smaller anti-government protests in Islamabad too.Incidents of violence were reported from all over Punjab province and there were smaller anti-government protests in Islamabad too.
Thousands of protesters, waving the green flags of the PML-N, burned tyres in the many demonstrations.Thousands of protesters, waving the green flags of the PML-N, burned tyres in the many demonstrations.
The most serious clashes took place on the outskirts of the garrison city of Rawalpindi.The most serious clashes took place on the outskirts of the garrison city of Rawalpindi.
Protesters attacked banks and shops, set vehicles alight and blocked roads.Protesters attacked banks and shops, set vehicles alight and blocked roads.
Police baton charged the demonstrators and lobbed tear gas shells. Crowds pelted security forces with stones.Police baton charged the demonstrators and lobbed tear gas shells. Crowds pelted security forces with stones.
'Let down''Let down'
Nawaz Sharif has urged his supporters not to break the law or wreck public property.Nawaz Sharif has urged his supporters not to break the law or wreck public property.
Who was behind ban?Who was behind ban?
He said he had been "let down" by Mr Zardari, who he had forged an alliance with to win elections a year ago.He said he had been "let down" by Mr Zardari, who he had forged an alliance with to win elections a year ago.
President Zardari has dismissed the Punjab government and given control to the governor who is one of his loyalists.President Zardari has dismissed the Punjab government and given control to the governor who is one of his loyalists.
The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says there are fears of a return to the see-saw political turmoil between the PPP and PML-N of the 1990s.The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says there are fears of a return to the see-saw political turmoil between the PPP and PML-N of the 1990s.
He says the government may try to contain protests through administrative measures and mobilising PPP workers.He says the government may try to contain protests through administrative measures and mobilising PPP workers.
But the "long march" protest planned by the Sharifs in the next two weeks could lead to violent confrontation and further instability, he says.But the "long march" protest planned by the Sharifs in the next two weeks could lead to violent confrontation and further instability, he says.