It was on Wednesday that Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for nationwide protests against the Koran burnings in Sweden, according to Indian ABP News.
In a statement, the prime minister appealed to the entire nation, including all political parties, to “unify a message to the bad guys” and to boycott Swedish products.
Sharif has previously said that he was “disgusted and horrified” by the Koran burnings.
Dolls were broken
In the most populous city of Karachi, around 3,000 supporters of the radical and Sharia-advocating Islamist party Tehreek-e-Labiak (TLP) had gathered, TT states. Several smashed dolls wrapped in Swedish flags.
Another around 5,000 TLP supporters took part in protests in the second largest city of Lahore. At the Sitara market in the capital Islamabad, Swedish flags were burned. In mosques around the country, the burning of the Koran during Friday prayers was condemned.
Sweden’s embassy in the capital Islamabad has been closed since May due to the security situation.
Vigilance is urged
In an email to SVT Nyheter, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs writes that Swedes who are in Pakistan are urged to “increase vigilance and caution, especially in areas where there are many people” and that they should “follow the development of events closely”.
“We remind you of the importance of staying up-to-date, avoiding large gatherings of people and demonstrations, keeping a low profile, following the instructions of local authorities and regularly taking part in our travel information”, writes the department further.
However, the Foreign Ministry does not want to comment on the threat picture or security measures taken.
“It could jeopardize the implementation and entail increased risks for staff and others.”