Pakistan deploys army after clashes in capital

The Pakistani army deployed troops on the streets of the capital yesterday after thousands of stone-throwing supporters of an Islamist assassin who was hanged last month clashed with police in chaotic scenes.

Mumtaz Qadri was executed on February 29 for killing a Punjab governor over his call for blasphemy reform in what analysts said was a "key moment" in Pakistan's long battle against religious extremism. But it has also divided the conservative Muslim country of 200 million.

An estimated 25,000 supporters of the former police bodyguard gathered in Islamabad's twin city Rawalpindi in the afternoon to offer prayers, before turning toward the heavily-barricaded capital. Riot police fired tear gas to try to prevent them pushing closer to the city centre. Some protesters set fire to a container while chanting slogans.

A military spokesman tweeted late yesterday that the army had been requisitioned to "control" the situation and secure the Red Zone around Parliament, where protesters were gathering.