Hundreds of Shiite muslims join protest over Quetta killings

(12 Jan 2013)
1. Shiite Muslim protesters chanting (English) "We Want Justice"
2. Protesters in Karachi chanting
3. Close of placard reading (English) "Awake president awake".
4. Various of woman chanting
5. Woman holding placard reading (English) "Am I Next?"
6. Wide of women staging sit in on main street in Karachi.
7. SOUNDBITE (Urdu) Maulana Sheikh Salahuddin, local Shiite leader:
"The government which fails in providing protection to its people - what is the justification for that government to continue to rule. This government must end. There should be Governor Raj or the army should take control in Quetta so that the people of Quetta, irrespective of their faith, are protected."
8. Four paramilitary troops watching the protesters
9. Various of fires set by protesters
10. Various of protesters chanting slogans.
STORYLINE:
Hundreds of Shiite Muslims, including women and children, took to the main street of the Pakistani city of Karachi on Saturday to protest against attacks in Quetta earlier in the week that killed more than a hundred people in a predominantly Shiite area.
Scores of people were also injured in the twin bomb blasts at a billiards hall.
Protests began in Quetta itself on Friday when people staged a sit in and refused to bury the dead.
They also demanded justice, the arrest of those behind the bomb attacks and the deployment of the army for security and protection.
Protests have since been spreading across the country.
In Karachi, protesters burned tyres, staged a sit in and shouted slogans.
One local Shiite leader said Pakistan's government had failed to provide protection to its people.
"This government must end," he said.
Protesters carried banners, including one which asked "Am I next?"
The demonstrators said they would stay on the street until their demands were met.
Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf ordered authorities on Saturday to give policing powers to paramilitary forces in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province, to improve law and order.
The move was aimed at accepting the demands of Shiites, who wanted troops to be deployed for their protection. Under law, only police can arrest criminals.
It was unclear what kind of powers would now be given to paramilitary forces in Baluchistan.
Many attacks against Shiites are carried out by Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a militant group allied with al-Qaida and the Taliban.
Pakistan has a history of sectarian violence. Although most majority Sunnis and Shiites live together peacefully, small extremist groups on both sides often target each other's leaders and activists.


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