Anti-UN protests in Pakistan

The protesters raised slogans against the US and UN

Islamic protesters have held rallys across Pakistan to condemn UN sanctions against Afghanistan.

They clashed with police as they defied a ban on public rallys, which was put in place by Pakistan's military administration.

The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), an Islamic political party, organised the protests Pakistanis to boycott American goods.

Its leaders also urged the government not to follow the sanctions and instead support the Taleban and the people of Afghanistan.

Police used teargas and batons to control the crowds, much of which was made up of young Islamic students.

They burned US flags and raised slogans in favour of Taleban chief Mullah Mohammad Omar, and Saudi-dissident Osama bin Laden.

Criticism

At a rally in the southern city of Karachi, JUI chief, Moulana Fazlur Rehman, condemned the sanctions against Afghanistan.

He said the sanctions were a human rights violation and urged the Pakistani Government to help the Afghans rebuild their country.

"We will not allow the government of Pakistan to implement the UN sanctions," he said.

The protesters set alight copies of Western fashion magazines and smashed Pepsi and Coke bottles.

The JUI is a strong supporter of the Taleban and a vocal critic of the United States.

Fresh UN sanctions were imposed on Afghanistan last week after the Taleban failed to hand over Osama bin Laden, who is wanted in connection with the bombing of US embassies in Africa.

Soon after the sanctions came into effect, Pakistan ordered all banks in the country to freeze Taleban accounts.