Police, opposition clash in Pakistani capital

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Pakistani riot police detained several opposition activists after they rallied outside the headquarters of the country's top anti-corruption authority in the capital Islamabad on Wednesday.

Local media reported that the police charged with batons and fired water canons to disperse members of the opposition Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), who were heading towards the headquarters of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) -- a state-run corruption watchdog.

The NAB is investigating party’s chairman, Bilawal Bhutto, in a money laundering case.

TV channels showed a scuffle between the protesters and the police. Media reported that police have detained 30-40 PPP activists, including women.

The detained included two women MPs, local broadcaster 24 News reported.

Among the protesters, there was also Raja Pervez Ashraf, a former prime minister, and several lawmakers.

Bilawal Bhutto -- the son of slain Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto -- is currently facing inquiries into multiple money laundering cases. His father, former President Asif Zardari, as well as other family members are also accused in the cases.

Established in 2000 by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, the NAB has often been accused of targeting anti-government politicians.

Javed Iqbal, the anti-corruption authority chairman, is facing severe criticism after a media outlet recently aired a video showing an alleged indecent conversation with a woman.

Iqbal, however, called the video “fabricated", and an attempt to divert the ongoing accountability process.