Army deployed in Islamabad to restore peace

Islamabad [Pakistan], November 25 (ANI): The Army was deployed in Islamabad on Saturday to restore peace after a police crackdown on protesters turned violent.

A statement of Pakistan's Ministry of Interior read "...is pleased to authorize deployment of sufficient number of troops of Pakistan Army to be determined by the Commander 111 Brigade, in aid of civil power, to control law and order situation in Islamabad Capital Territory with effect from November 25 till further orders".

Reportedly, major social networking sites, including Facebook and Twitter, have also been blocked in Pakistan.

As per the reports, one security official has died and over 200 people have been injured after law enforcement agencies clashed with a cleric's supporters, who have been camping at highway leading to Rawalpindi.

The cleric, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, and his followers are demanding resignation of Pakistani law minister Zahid Hamid, as they saw the change in wording of an oath sworn by lawmakers as blasphemy;

Though the change has been was reversed, the protesters continue to demand Hamid's resignation.

Earlier today, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) warned that it would not cover Faizabad sit-in during a police crackdown on protesters.

Following the PEMRA order, there was a media blackout in Islamabad, where almost all leading private TV channels went off air.

PEMRA has also directed law enforcement agencies to make strict security arrangements for staff present in different media outlets across country. (ANI)