Updated on
Summary Several protest rallies are scheduled after Friday prayers against the anti-Islam film.
The federal government, in the wake of last weeks violent protests held across the country against anti-Islam film, has decided to step up security measures in all the major cities.Section 144 has been imposed in Islamabad in order maintain law and order.The Islamabad police placed barricades and containers on the ways leading to the diplomatic enclave.Strict security measures were also in place in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar.Heavy contingents of Rangers and Police were deployed on the ways leading to US consulates.Last Friday, demonstrations in parts of Pakistan against the anti-Islam film spiraled into chaos, as mobs ransacked banks, cinemas and government offices and engaged in clashes with authorities that left at least more than 20 dead.Tens of thousands of protestors took to the streets across the country after the government called an impromptu public holiday to mark ‘Youme Ishq-e-Rasool.’The protestors have been demanding from government to end its diplomatic ties with the United States and removal of video from YouTube.Speaking at the General Assembly Tuesday, US President Barak Obama said that while the video was reprehensible, it is not possible to ban the video which has inflamed Muslims around the world.Also, Googles executive chairman Eric Schmidt defended Thursday YouTubes hosting of the film.He stressed that the low-budget video met YouTubes basic criteria for material that can be posted, which is why it remains accessible in many countries.
