Pakistan (Friday): At least 22 killed in deadly riots over US-made anti-Islam film

Islamabad, Pakistan (Sep 22, 2012) - At least 22 people have been killed and more than 180 injured in Pakistan in police-protesters clashes during protests over a US-made anti-Muslim film titled 'Innocence of Muslims'.

Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf appealed to the people to get calm after violent protests erupted across the country after Friday prayers against the movie allegedly mocking the Prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H).

"Destroying property and resorting to violence negate the spirit of Islam and teachings of the Prophet,"Prime Minister said in a statement issued by his media office.

Although Pakistani government declared Friday to be an official holiday — calling it a ‘‘Day of Love for the Prophet’’ and peaceful protests were requested, but western media highlighted that the move helped unleash the worst violence yet caused by the film.

The deadliest violence occurred in Karachi, where 17 people were killed and 102 wounded, according hospital officials.

Five people were killed and 78 wounded in the north-western city of Peshawar, where police fired on rioters who set fire to two cinemas and the city's chamber of commerce, and damaged shops and vehicles. Police and stone-throwers also clashed in Lahore and Islamabad, the capital.

It seems like the $70,000 (£43,000), spent by the US Embassy spent for advertisements on Pakistani TV that showed US President Barck Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemning the film, have been wasted and rather it affected adversely.