Pakistani groups protest against Nawaz Sharif in US

WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif faced protests from various Pakistani groups which held peaceful rallies outside the White House against the police atrocities and violations of human rights under his administration.

Though heckling of Sharif by freelance journalist Ahmar Musti Khan from Free Baluchistan Campaign USA at the US Institute of Peace yesterday caught much of the media attention, the peaceful protests by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) - the most influential and powerful political party in Karachi - and other groups were also significant.

Sharif was in the US for an official visit during which he met President Barack Obama.

MQM activists have been protesting against the alleged gross human rights violation by Pakistani rangers and the army which has launched a campaign against it.

"The MQM and Mohajirs are being targeted under the disguise of a crackdown against terrorism. Attempts are being made to eliminate the MQM and Altaf Hussain by placing bans on his speeches and images," Junaid Fahmi of MQM USA said.

He said the MQM has now taken its issue at the international forum, and the White House demonstration is another official submission of their protest.

When Sharif visited New York last month, the MQM held a similar protest against him outside the United Nations headquarters.

On Thursday, members of the Free Baluchistan Campaign also held peaceful protest against Sharif outside the White House.

Other minority groups also held rallies to protest against human rights violations in Pakistan.