Source: Voice of America

By Ayaz Gul

ISLAMABAD — 

Several thousand Islamists in Pakistan have effectively blocked a main crossing near the national capital, Islamabad, crippling the daily life of millions of people and underscoring challenges facing the country’s counter extremism efforts.

Activists of the Tehreek-i-Labaik Yah Rasool Allah party began their rally Tuesday from the eastern city of Lahore before arriving late Wednesday at the famous Faizabad crossing.

Charged protesters are demanding the federal government immediately remove Law Minister Zahid Hamid for allegedly pushing a constitutional amendment favoring Pakistan’s persecuted Ahmadi religious minority.

Rally leaders have vowed not to disperse until their demands are met, although the government, under pressure from its allied Islamic parties in the parliament, has already reversed the controversial amendment.

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