[Iran Press TV Latest] At least 200 people have been arrested as protests continued for a second day in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, with protesters burning tires, damaging public property and disrupting the traffic. Hundreds of people, unhappy with a 20 percent hike in the price of public transport, spilled out into the streets on Thursday, blocking a key road in Islamabad's Bara Kahu area.
Police fired tear gas and baton charged the demonstrators, injuring at least 15 protestors. More than a dozen students were arrested. One student was hit by a bullet, but according to doctors treating him, he is now in stable condition.
Although the government withdrew the fare increase late Thursday to contain the violence, protests continued on Friday with students demanding the release of those arrested.
Television footage showed police using tear gas and batons, and firing shots into the air to disperse the crowd and restore order. Meanwhile, the protesters retaliated by pelting the police with stones, DawnNews reported.
The angry mob also attacked a UN official's vehicle as the member of the UN team tasked with probing the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was on his way to Islamabad from the airport.
The protesters also targeted public vehicles, ambulances and media personnel.
As the protest reached its peak, the capital police made desperate calls for reinforcement. The Punjab police and Rangers, however, stood by as silent spectators, the daily said.
At least two hundred protesters were arrested on Friday evening, bringing an end to the day-long pitched battles between the angry crowds and the Pakistani police.