NEWS: Pakistani Police Forces Clash With Protesters Over Marathon

Pakistani protesters clashed violently with police in a dispute revolving around an 'indecent' marathon. The marathon race was labeled 'indecent' because women were allowed to participate, according to local news sources. Most of the injured at this stage appear to be police officers as opposed to protesters. The angry mob of several hundred young men and some women threw bricks and shouted slogans, trying to dissuade the female runners from participating.



In what appears to be a concerted effort on the part of some to incite a riot, youths were gathered together and directed to swarm the location where the marathon was held. They attacked police and attempted to get to the runners, but at this point it appears that the mini-marathon went ahead as planned.

Protesters vandalized property and set fires after they were driven away from the immediate vicinity of the race. Pakistan is a very tense place right now, to say the least. Protests are not uncommon, and they often are conducted in this manner, throwing bricks and setting fire, shouting slogans and trying to intimidate people. It appears that their efforts were largely ineffective, and that gives moderates some glimpse of hope.

The Pakistani state, governmental officials, and police are under pressure from religious groups in their own country, and of course western influence that urges them in the opposite direction. They are the rope, and neither side seems willing to concede this tug of war.

Related News Links:
www.thestatesman.net
www.kashar.net

[edit on 3-4-2005 by WyrdeOne]

news.bbc.co.uk...

"They want to undress the entire nation," Riaz Durrani said.

"It is indecent for women to run in the streets. They want the sisters and sisters-in-law of the nation to wear knickers and T-shirts."

Am I alone in saying.."Oh No! Not knickers!"

According to new information, the scallywags organizing the riot also fired at police near the finish line. The police responded by firing into the air to disrupt the protest.

This just goes to show how badly the Pakistani police want to maintain order. Even after being fired upon, they don't retaliate with deadly force. It's pretty clear they fear a country-wide uprising against the burgeoning western influence they perceive as a threat.