Pakistan army called on to stop 'blasphemy' clashes in Islamabad

Pakistan's government has called for troops to be deployed in the capital, Islamabad, after violence broke out during protests by Islamists.
About 200 people were injured earlier when security forces tried to disperse an Islamist sit-in at the Faizabad Interchange - a key highway.
That operation has now been suspended.
The protesters have been blocking the highway for several weeks, demanding the sacking of Law Minister Zahid Hamid whom they accuse of blasphemy.
Pakistani media report that demonstrators also broke into the minister's residence in Punjab province. Mr Hamid and his family were not in the building.
The protests have spread to other cities, including the southern port of Karachi.

The Pakistani government authorised the deployment of the army in Islamabad on Saturday evening.
The interior minister said the order was issued at the request of the city authorities.