Major protests against Musharraf's planned crackdown

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Demonstrations in Pakistan protest Musharraf's planned crackdown

Last Updated Fri, 22 Jul 2005 19:02:43 EDT

CBC News

There were demonstrations in cities across Pakistan on Friday to protest a crackdown against suspected extremists.

The largest rally was in Islamabad, where about 2,000 religious activists marched chanting "God is great" and "Down With America." Rallies were also held in Karachi and Lahore. (surprise, surprise)


The protests came a day after Pakistan's President, General Pervez Musharraf, spoke to the nation in a televised address and vowed to crush extremist elements in the wake of the London bombings.

The demonstrations also follow the arrest of nearly 300 people in raids on private houses, mosques and madrasas, or Muslim religious schools.

Pakistan has come under increased international pressure to crack down on Islamic militants after it emerged that three of the four July 7 London bombers were British Muslims of Pakistani origin who had visited Pakistan before the attacks.

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