Islamic groups protest arrests of suspected militants

A coalition of radical Muslim groups will stage nationwide demonstrations in Pakistan to protest an ongoing crackdown on Islamic schools, mosques and offices that has netted more than 200 suspects, a senior cleric said today.

Hafiz Hussain Ahmad, a senior leader of the six-party coalition called Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal, or United Action Forum, said Pakistan’s government had arrested a large number of innocent people to appease Western countries.