Pakistani Islamists are pressing ahead with their rally near Islamabad in even larger numbers, a day after clashes with police left six dead and dozens wounded.
Meanwhile, police and paramilitary units are readying for another expected crackdown Sunday, after security forces failed to disperse the protesters when riot police moved in with tear gas and batons Saturday. Hospital officials said nearly 200 people were hurt, most of them police.
Elsewhere in Pakistan, Islamists have blocked major roads in solidarity with the Islamabad demonstrators.
Supporters of the small Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah party have been camped out for the last three weeks at a main intersection outside Islamabad, demanding the resignation of law minister over an omitted reference to the Prophet Muhammad in a parliamentary bill.
