Pakistan cleric supporters in clashes
- 10 years ago
PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL THAT WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3
Chaos in the Pakistani capital, as supporters of an anti-government preacher clash with police.
About 2,000 gathered outside the Islamabad airport to greet cleric Tahirul Qadri, who has said he wants to bring about a peaceful revolution.
Clashes broke out after police fired tear gas at protesters.
At least one officer was attacked.
Qadri, who champions religious tolerance and once issued a ruling against the Taliban, divides opinions in the country.
Speaking to Pakistani media in Dubai ahead of his return, Qadri said he trusted the army more than the government.
(SOUNDBITE)(Urdu) ANTI-TALIBAN CLERIC, TAHIRUL QADRI, SAYING:
"There is a department of the armed forces. If they bring their aircraft to take me to Lahore, I will go willingly. Nawaz Sharif's government cannot take me. They will have to shoot me dead before taking me."
Qadri refused to leave the plane after it was
Chaos in the Pakistani capital, as supporters of an anti-government preacher clash with police.
About 2,000 gathered outside the Islamabad airport to greet cleric Tahirul Qadri, who has said he wants to bring about a peaceful revolution.
Clashes broke out after police fired tear gas at protesters.
At least one officer was attacked.
Qadri, who champions religious tolerance and once issued a ruling against the Taliban, divides opinions in the country.
Speaking to Pakistani media in Dubai ahead of his return, Qadri said he trusted the army more than the government.
(SOUNDBITE)(Urdu) ANTI-TALIBAN CLERIC, TAHIRUL QADRI, SAYING:
"There is a department of the armed forces. If they bring their aircraft to take me to Lahore, I will go willingly. Nawaz Sharif's government cannot take me. They will have to shoot me dead before taking me."
Qadri refused to leave the plane after it was