Riots Paint Protest Anti-Islam Film in Pakistan

At least ten people were killed in Pakistan, Friday (21/9), in protest against the anti-Islam film made in the United States. Health workers said five people were killed in the port city of Karachi were five five more in Peshawar. Pakistani television channel said one of his staff were killed in Peshawar when police issued a fire to disperse the angry crowd and tried to burn down the cinema, Friday, September 21. 

Angry protesters in Karachi attacked banks and cinemas. According to reports, at least one policeman were killed in Karachi. A BBC correspondent in the city said the police used live ammunition to disperse protesters. According to local police, gunfire came from the direction of the unknown. In Lahore, protesters came close to the U.S. Consulate and the police used tear gas and batons to block mass. Thousands of protesters trying to reach the heavily guarded dipomatik complex in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. 

Complex among others occupied by the Embassy of the United States. Official Protest Police used tear gas to disperse protesters who number in the thousands. A BBC correspondent in Islamabad reported clashes in several cities across Pakistan but the situation is relatively safe in the center of Islamabad. The Pakistan government declared Friday, September 21 as a national holiday so that people could hold a peaceful demonstration against the film The Innocence of Muslims deemed insulting to the Prophet Muhammad. In a televised speech the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Raja Pervez Ashraf, said it was unacceptable and called on the UN to initiate legislation to outlaw so-called hate speech. "We demand that the United Nations and other international organizations to realize the laws prohibiting hate speech aimed at incitement of hatred and sow the seeds of discourse lies," said the Prime Minister of Pakistan. U.S. Charge d'Affaires Richard Hoagland in Islamabad was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan. 

Foreign Ministry delivered a formal protest letter to the U.S. government. Richard Hoagland reportedly responded by saying that the U.S. government has nothing to do with the movie. Prophet Cartoons All the major political parties and religious organizations called for protests on Friday along with other groups. Pakistani authorities have previously blocked cell phone service in 15 major cities in order to reduce security risks, but the service slowly began to be restored before nightfall. Meanwhile France closed diplomatic missions and schools in 20 countries related to concerns that the Prophet Muhammad cartoons published by the French magazine on Wednesday could spark protests. Satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo on Friday issued another thousand copies. The magazine contains 20 cartoons mocking protests against anti-Islam film and mocked the Prophet Muhammad. The French government banned the demonstration this weekend.