Security curfew extends in Pakistan as clashes continue

The curfew imposed in eastern Pakistani city Rawalpindi, near the capital, was extended for the third consecutive day on Sunday as sectarian clashes continue. The curfew was imposed in the city on Friday as a clash between two groups killed at least nine people and wounded over 68 others. A spokesperson for Punjab government announced today that there would be no relaxation in the curfew imposed in Rawalpindi city. He urged the residents of the city to stay in their homes. A Section 144 of the law that prevents public gathering was also imposed in the city in order to avoid any unpleasant incident as the funeral of the victims of the violence is to be held later today. The provincial government has not allowed the funeral prayers of all the victims together as demanded by the heirs due to fear of clashes. The cellular service in the city is still suspended and Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) announced that the resumption of cell phone services was conditional to the improvement of the law and order situation in city. According to Afzal Hussain, a Pakistani police officer, the clashes took place when the participants of an Ashura procession beat to death three men belonging to a seminary, for allegedly insulting them as their procession passed the seminary. They also set several shops outside the seminary on fire and wounded several policemen as they tried to stop the clash. Rival groups then attacked each other, as well as attacking TV cameramen and security. The Chief Minister Punjab province Shahbaz Sharif has arrived in Rawalpindi and met with the city's administration where security was heightened at mosques and other places of worship. According to administrative officials, they are making efforts to calm the situation down with the help of religious clerics and other notables. Earlier, sectarian clashes had also erupted in Punjab's Multan and Christian cities injuring at least 25 people after which Army was called in to take control of the situation.