Thousands rally in Pakistan over rape law changes

More than 20,000 supporters of an Islamic alliance rallied today in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi, demanding the government withdraw changes to a controversial rape laws.

More than 300 riot police were deployed to keep the peace, and more than 20,000 supporters of a six-party coalition of Islamic groups – Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal or United Action Forum – joined the rally in Karachi, said Mohammed Khurram, a Karachi police officer. No violence was reported.