Police Raids on Religious Schools

Pakistani security forces arrested over 300 people across Pakistan on Tuesday (19 July) and Wednesday. Much of the international media has suggested that this was in response to international pressure to crackdown on extremists after the London bombings. This may be true in part, but these raids are as much about Pakistan’s own ongoing policies to rid its nation of sectarianism and religious extremism. The Pakistan government is determined to clampdown on outlawed religious organisations across the country. Many of the arrests were made during raids on Islamic religious schools. Raids have also targeted shops selling “hate material”. Reports today (Sat 23 July) have stated that detainees from 14 banned religious organisations will be tried under Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act.

In response to these raids there were violent clashes between protesters and police yesterday (Fri 22 July) in Islamabad. It was reported that at least 2000 people took to the streets, waving placards with slogans such as, ‘we are not involved in London Blasts’. Protesters overwhelmed police as they barged through police barricades, pelted stones smashing streetlights, and burnt a police motorbike.

Pakistani intelligence agencies have warned that there could be further backlashes against the government by banned groups following the recent crackdown on religious extremists. Security forces will be on high alert as it is reported that government ministers and buildings could be targeted.