Mob attacks convoy of Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Supporters of the Pakistani government and opposition protesters clashed during the second day of a march to Islamabad aimed at forcing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resign. The clashes raised tensions ahead of the protesters’ arrival in Islamabad, which has been on a virtual lockdown in recent days. The twin protests led by Imran Khan and Tahir-ul-Qadri represent the biggest challenge yet to Sharif’s year-old government. Both Khan and Qadri have said they will draw one million of their followers into the streets of Islamabad, a city of roughly 1.7 million inhabitants. Clashes broke out as tens of thousands of protesters from the two anti-government movements slowly converged on the capital. A stone-throwing mob attacked the convoy of Imran Khan as he led supporters through the eastern city of Gujranwala. Men brandishing ruling-party posters attacked his convoy, throwing shoes and stones. Khan’s convoy was shot at but he was not injured, his spokeswoman said. The government insisted shots were not fired and promised an investigation into the incident. “The chief minister of Punjab has ordered an inquiry and all those responsible for scuffle will be held accountable,” the statement said. “There were absolutely no gunshots fired at his rally and such PTI-driven sensationalism is unfortunate.” In the capital, authorities blocked main roads with shipping containers and barbed wire in a effort to control the marches. Riot police were out in force but hundreds of protesters began to gather, banging drums, singing and dancing as they prepared to welcome their comrades approaching the city. “We have come to save our country because of the call of our leader, Imran Khan,” said 36-year-old Ajaz Khan in central Islamabad. “We will not leave from here until our leader tells us to go.” Agencies