Violent clashes in Pakistan

Fighting broke out on Friday and continued into Saturday, as police attempted to stop scores of supporters of cleric Tahir ul Qadri reaching Lahore - the site of the planned rally - in Pakistan's Punjab province.

The Canada-based preacher was reportedly planning a major demonstration in the provincial capital for Sunday to protest against deadly clashes that took place ahead of his return to Pakistan in June. Fourteen people were killed in that violence.

Qadri has a network of mosques and religious centers across Pakistan. He is an outspoken opponent of the government, and has called for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to be overthrown.

Roads barricaded

On Friday, security forces barricaded roads leading to Lahore, sparking violent confrontations with hundreds of activists trying to reach Qadri's residence in the city's east.

"The Punjab police have lost all humanity," Qadri said in a televised speech on Friday. "The rulers have become terrorists." The cleric said seven of his supporters had been killed. So far, only one fatality has been confirmed.

Police spokeswoman Nabeela Ghazanfar said around 500 Qadri supporters had been arrested, and more than 100 police injured.

Widespread confrontations

There were also clashed in other cities on Saturday. A police official in the Khushab district said protesters had set a police station on fire and seized weapons. There were also reports of violent clashes in Gujranwala, about 220 kilometers south east of Islamabad, in which more than 50 people were injured.

Meanwhile, police are bracing for a separate protest rally planned by opposition politician Imran Khan on Thursday. The former cricketer has also called for the government to go, citing alleged irregularities in last year's elections.

Sharif won in a landslide victory, but some members of his fledgling government fear protesters could have the backing of elements in the military still resentful over removal of former military chief and president Pervez Musharraf. He was put on trial for treason last year.

Musharraf deposed Sharif in a coup in 1999, and was forced to step down in 2008.

The government last week deployed the military around key parts of Islamabad. On Friday, it banned gatherings of more than five people in the city.

nm/ipj (AP, Reuters, dpa)