Pakistan: 1 killed, 150 injured in clashes over Prophet, news channels, social media blocked

One security personnel was killed and over 150 others injured in Pakistan during clashes which broke out after Frontier Constabulary personnel and other law enforcement agencies launched a crackdown against protesters camped out at the Faizabad Interchange since November 8.

The operation was launched after Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday issued contempt of court notice against Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal for failing to implement orders to clear the roads.

The Pakistan government has blocked popular social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube amidst ongoing operation against protesters.

Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Caved Bajwa talked to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and urged for peaceful solution to the problem.

About 2,000 activists of Tehreek-i-Khatm-i-Nabuwwat, Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYR) and the Sunni Tehreek Pakistan (ST) for more than two weeks have been blocking the Islamabad Expressway and Murree Road that connect Islamabad with its only airport and the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

The protesters were demanding the resignation of law minister Zahid Hamid for changes made about Khatm-i-Nabuwwat or finality of prophethood oath in the Elections Act 2017 passed in September.

News Channels suspended after Pemra bans live coverage of the clashes:

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) prohibited private news channels from live coverage of the entire police Operation against protesters.

Most of the news channels went of air in Islamabad, Quetta and other parts of the country. A message saying "This channel is suspended on orders of Pemra," was appearing on TV screens in place of news.

MEDIA COVERAGE OF SIT-IN AT FAIZ-E-ABAD, ISLAMABAD pic.twitter.com/YqEGTWpFIR

— Report PEMRA (@reportpemra) November 25, 2017

(With PTI inputs)