Protest violence spreads in Islamabad

Police in Islamabad fired warning shots and tear gas at protesters today as street protests intensified.

Senior police official Bin Yamin says the protests started on Thursday when students and residents blocked a key road in the Bara Kahu neighbourhood, protesting against an increase in public transportation fares in the Pakistani capital.

Police official Mohammed Iqbal said the demonstrations escalated and rock-throwing protesters have blocked a main road to Islamabad’s airport.

The violence prompted the government to rescind the fare increase late on Thursday, but the protests are continuing with students demanding the release of protesters arrested the day before.

One student was hit by a bullet on Thursday.