This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-29001365

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Anti-PM Sharif clashes continue in Pakistan Pakistan army backs democracy after Islamabad clashes
(about 23 hours later)
Clashes are continuing in Pakistan between police and protesters demanding the resignation of PM Nawaz Sharif. Pakistan's army commanders expressed concern and said they support democracy after clashes between police and protesters in Islamabad left three people dead and hundreds hurt.
Police again fired tear gas as the demonstrators tried to regroup after a night of violence near Mr Sharif's residence in the capital, Islamabad. Protesters are demanding the resignation of PM Nawaz Sharif.
Two people died during the clashes and at least 300 were injured.
Demonstrators loyal to opposition politician Imran Khan and cleric Tahirul Qadri have been taking part in a sit-in for two weeks.Demonstrators loyal to opposition politician Imran Khan and cleric Tahirul Qadri have been taking part in a sit-in for two weeks.
They want Mr Sharif to resign, alleging corruption and electoral fraud. The prime minister denies the accusation. They accuse Mr Sharif of corruption and electoral fraud - charges he denies.
Islamabad police chief Khalid Khattak told the BBC that close to 100 protesters had been arrested as the crowds tried to march on Mr Sharif's official residence in the capital. 'Serious concern'
"Many of them were armed with axes, hammers and cutters, and I'm sure they also have firearms though we haven't seen one yet," he said. The army commanders' meeting was brought forward after violence overnight.
An official at the Polyclinic hospital in Islamabad told reporters that the wounds of those injured were caused by teargas shells, stones and batons. Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif chaired the meeting at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, close to Islamabad.
Gen Sharif had stepped in on Friday to mediate, after Imran Khan ended talks with the government.
In a statement, the army said the commanders viewed the ongoing political crisis with "serious concern".
"Further use of force will only aggravate the problem."
The protesters broke security barriers to move closer to Mr Sharif's residence late on Saturday, sparking clashes with the police which continued overnight and into Sunday.
Police used tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse hundreds of protesters armed with batons, gas masks and slingshots.
Islamabad police chief Khalid Khattak told the BBC that close to 100 protesters had been arrested, some armed with "axes, hammers and cutters".
An official at the Polyclinic hospital in Islamabad told reporters that the wounds of those injured were caused by tear-gas shells, stones and batons.
One protester died of a heart attack in a ditch near the clashes, said Dr Wasim Khawaja, spokesman for the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Islamabad.One protester died of a heart attack in a ditch near the clashes, said Dr Wasim Khawaja, spokesman for the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Islamabad.
The man, Naveed Razzaq, was a supporter of cleric Tahirul Qadri, AP reports. A BBC correspondent who visited the same hospital reports that many of the injured are policemen.
'Unimaginable attack' Speaking to BBC World TV, Mr Qadri condemned the police's actions as an "unimaginable attack by the state upon the people", and denied that protesters were armed.
On Friday Pakistan's powerful army chief, Gen Raheel Sharif, stepped in to mediate amid an ongoing deadlock. Imran Khan said on Sunday: "I am prepared to die here. I have learnt that the government plans a major crackdown against us tonight. I am here till my last breath."
Imran Khan ended talks with the government last week.
A government minister said that repeated attempts to resolve the two-week long standoff with protesters had failed.
Speaking to BBC World TV, cleric Qadri condemned the police's actions as an "unimaginable attack by the state upon the people", and denied that protesters were armed with weapons.
Local TV pictures showed police throwing tear gas shells, and protesters throwing rocks back at them, some wielding sticks and slingshots.
Military helicopters were despatched to survey the scene on the Constitution Avenue, one of the most secure zones in the city, housing a number of government buildings and residences.
The violence was sparked when the two opposition leaders ordered their supporters, many whom were wielding batons, to move closer to the PM's house.
The protesters began their sit-in after a huge march from Lahore to Islamabad, vowing to camp out in the capital until the government stood down.The protesters began their sit-in after a huge march from Lahore to Islamabad, vowing to camp out in the capital until the government stood down.
Last year's elections marked Pakistan's first civilian transfer of power.Last year's elections marked Pakistan's first civilian transfer of power.
Are you in Islamabad? Did you take part in the protests? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in Islamabad? Did you take part in the protests? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions