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Pakistani protesters force PTV News off-air

PTV - Pakistan's state broadcaster
PTV - Pakistan's state broadcaster

The Pakistani state broadcaster PTV and its English-language channel, PTV Global have been forced off-air after protesters stormed its offices in Islamabad.

Tensions have been running high for many weeks. Over the weekend, violence was triggered when former cricket star Imran Khan and populist cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri ordered their followers to storm the prime minister’s residence. Since then, they entered a compound containing many government ministries in Islamabad and the offices of PTV.

A news anchor who was presenting before the channel went off air said, ���They have stormed the PTV office. PTV staff performing their journalistic duties are being beaten up.�۝

It is reported that 200 supporters of Qadri seizing weapons from security guards.

Talking today, Khan said, “I call upon my workers to remain peaceful,” Khan said from atop a shipping container at the main rally site. “Do not carry out any acts of violence. God has given us victory.”

The channel returned within hour of being taken off-air.

Extracts from MediaGuardian