ISLAMABAD: Following huge protests in the federal capital against the printing of blasphemous images depicting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), all roads leading towards French Embassy in Islamabad remained closed on Saturday amid fear of more protests.

Huge number of security personnel were deployed at the routes leading towards the French embassy where senior officials were seen patrolling the area. Roads leading to the enclave were blocked using shipping containers and barbed wire, and were guarded by riot police.

A large number of people took part in the Islamabad protest on Friday against the printing of blasphemous images depicting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The protests took place against blasphemous sketches in the federal capital on Friday, with protesters marching towards the French Embassy, and pelting stones at the resisting police officials.

Protestors inside Red Zone moved towards the French Embassy after climbing the containers deployed to block their way at Aabpara Chowk. Police used tear gas shells to push back the protesters but without much success. Islamabad police briefly fired tear gas at protesters who broke through security blockades near the Red Zone in a failed attempt to demonstrate at the French Embassy. In response, the protesters hurled stones at police vehicles and vandalised a police post. They also set fire to plants in a forest opposite the Serena Hotel.

Routes leading to the French Embassy were sealed off by the police but protesters either climbed onto the containers or pushed them out of their way. No one was injured and protesters later moved back towards a gathering spot originally agreed with the authorities.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020