Pakistan cleric announces march to topple government

The mass rally is planned for Thursday, on the same day that an opposition protest is announced by the opposition leader Imran Khan in the capital.
 
“Our march will begin on August 14” in a joint effort with Khan to overthrow the government, Qadri told thousands of his supporters in a speech in the eastern city of Lahore on Sunday.
 
“We would struggle together and would end the kingdom of cruelty,” he said.
 
Both groups, which accuse Pakistani officials of corruption, want the government to step down and fresh elections to be held.
 
In response to the planned demonstrations, Pakistan’s administration has tightened security in recent days.
 
Qadri’s supporters staged a massive anti-government rally in Lahore on Saturday. At least seven people were killed after clashes broke out between Pakistani security forces and the supporters of the anti-government leader in the city.
 
Following the incident, Qadri called off a large protest rally planned for Sunday, urging his supporters to hold smaller protests in their home towns.