Supporters of Pakistan’s cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan gather to march to Islamabad from Lahore.

ISLAMABAD: Clashes broke out as tens of thousands of Pakistani protesters from two anti-government movements converged on the capital, presenting the 15-month-old civilian government with its biggest challenge yet.

Gunshots hit the vehicle of former cricket star and opposition politician Imran Khan as he led his supporters through the eastern city of Gujranwala. Residents brandishing ruling-party posters attacked his convoy, throwing shoes and stones. Khan was not injured, his spokeswoman said.

Khan and populist cleric Tahir ul-Qadri are slowly leading separate processions towards Islamabad where they plan to occupy main streets until Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigns.

Security was tight in the capital and authorities had blocked several main roads with shipping containers and barbed wire in a effort to thwart 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 the 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. He was speaking before the shots were fired at Khan.

“We will not leave from here until our leader tells us to go.”

The protests have raised questions over stability at a time when the nuclear-armed nation of 180 million is fighting an offensive against Pakistani Taliban militants and the influence of anti-Western and sectarian groups is growing.

In the latest violence, 10 militants were killed and 13 members of the security forces were wounded in attacks on two air force bases in the city Quetta late on Thursday, the third time since June airports had been targeted.

Some members of Sharif’s ruling party have suggested the protests are secretly backed by elements in the powerful military, which has had an uneasy relationship with Sharif.

How far Khan and Qadri succeed in destabilising the government is likely to depend on the stance taken by a military, which has a long history of mounting coups.

While few people think there will be a coup but many officials fear the threat of unrest will increase the military’s hold over the government.

The military has been frustrated with the government, in particular over the prosecution of former army chief and president Pervez Musharraf for treason.

There was also disagreement between the government and the army on how to handle the Pakistani Taliban with the army favouring military action and the government holding out hope for peace talks.

REFEREE?

The government is also struggling to overcome daily power shortages, high unemployment, and spiralling crime – the legacy of decades of corruption and neglect.

Anger over the economy means the protests appeal to many disillusioned young Pakistanis.

Both protest leaders also command intense personal loyalty from their followers. Khan is a famed former cricketer, known for his charity work, who now heads the third largest legislative bloc in the country.

Qadri, a cleric and political activist who usually lives in Canada, controls a large network of schools and Islamic charities. His followers say they intend to occupy Jinnah Avenue, Islamabad’s main thoroughfare leading to many embassies and government buildings.

“We will not go back until Sharif resigns,” said Qadri’s spokesman, Shahid Mursaleen. “They killed our people, there is no way we can make a deal with them.”

Qadri has accused police of killing 22 of his supporters during clashes in the eastern city of Lahore in June and this month. Police confirmed 11 deaths.

About 2,000 of Qadri’s supporters were also arrested this month, police said.

Khan is protesting against alleged electoral irregularities in last year’s polls.

Most observers expect the military to play referee, to maintain security but not support action to force Sharif out.

“Imran will not get from the army what he was expecting,” said an analyst close to the military.

“If there was any confusion earlier about whether the army would help Imran or rescue him or topple the government, there should be none now. There is no question of army intervention.”

 
[wpResize]