Thousands of people have taken to the streets to continue their protest against the Government after hundreds were injured and six killed as police failed to disperse the Islamist rallies earlier this week.

The 3,000-strong rally near Islamabad is braced for another military crackdown, and protesters have reportedly torched several vehicles and a guard post. No casualties have yet been reported.

Tensions escalated after Islamist party Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah demanded that Pakistan’s law minister to resign as he did not include a reference to the Prophet Muhammad in a parliamentary bill.

Despite Zahid Hamid apologising for his error, the new and extreme political party is calling for his arrest.

Unrest has spread to multiple cities, including Karachi, Lahore and Multan, and protesters have staged sit-ins and blocked roads into the capital for two weeks.

“God willing we will get victory and will disperse with honour,” cleric Mohammad Shahid Chishti told The Associated Press.

Police clash with protesters in Pakistan Show all 11 1 /11 Police clash with protesters in Pakistan Police clash with protesters in Pakistan A Pakistani police officer aims his gun towards the protesters AP Police clash with protesters in Pakistan A protester throws a tear gas shell back towards police AFP/Getty Images Police clash with protesters in Pakistan Pakistani riot police face off with protesters AFP/Getty Images Police clash with protesters in Pakistan Pakistani police officers carry an injured protester AP Police clash with protesters in Pakistan A policeman walks with armoured personnel carriers REUTERS Police clash with protesters in Pakistan Protesters burn Police vehicles EPA Police clash with protesters in Pakistan A protester gestures after blocking the main road leading to the airport REUTERS Police clash with protesters in Pakistan Pakistani security officials clash with supporters EPA Police clash with protesters in Pakistan Supporters of religious groups burn tires at a rally to express solidarity with protesters AP Police clash with protesters in Pakistan Protesers burn a police vehicle EPA Police clash with protesters in Pakistan Police fire tear gas REUTERS

The military tried to break up the protests over the weekend, wielding batons and firing tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowds.

Around 200 people – many of them police officers – were taken to hospital with injuries and respiratory problems. Six people were killed near the Faizabad crossing, a main intersection outside Islamabad.

Pakistan protests: army called in after clashes with Islamist protesters

Pakistan has shut down access to social media websites and stopped media broadcasts for two consecutive days, claiming the media violated government policy of showing live coverage of security operations.

In the wake of unrest, Pakistan’s opposition party leader Imran Khan has called for elections sooner than the planned election next summer.

The country is still being governed by the party of ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif – removed by the supreme court in July over financial irregularities.

Ultra-religious groups are unlikely to gain a majority in the upcoming election but they could have a major influence on politics and are gaining ground in local elections.

