PAKISTAN: BHUTTO LEADS PRESS FREEDOM DEMONSTRATION

Описание: (13 Feb 1999) English/Nat

A freedom of press march by former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and her supporters in the capital Islamabad has turned violent.

The march on Saturday, which had government permission, turned into a stone-throwing melee as protesters attempted to march on parliament.

Police had put up a barbed wire blockade around the building, and when marchers tried to dismantle it police in riot gear attacked the crowd with batons.

A clash between Pakistan's Jang Newspaper Group and the government has sparked a violent protest in the streets of Islamabad.

Hundreds of protestors took to the streets to lend their support to the Jang newspaper and to march for greater freedom for the press.

The newspaper gained a lot support in its fight to improve press freedom in Pakistan following a feud in which government officials threatened to suspend publication.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was amongst the hundreds of people who took to the streets.

Police in riot gear and armed with batons attacked the crowd.

Protesters responded by pelting police with stones.

Police, in turn, fired tear gas and called on firemen to turn their hoses on the crowd in an attempt to disperse it.

Bhutto was hustled into her private car and taken from the scene.

She was not hurt in the violence.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I don't think it was an individual (to blame for the violence)"
Q: "Were any leaders hurt?"
A: "No, I don't think so."
Q: "Was Benazir Bhutto hurt?
A: "No, she is fine."
SUPERCAPTION: Naseerullah Babar, Former Interior Minister

Dozens of people were arrested.

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