KARACHI, May 21: Some activists belonging to Pasban-i-Aza set on fire the US flag in front of the United States Consulate on Abdullah Haroon Road, as they managed to make their way through security cover of police on Friday.

The protest demonstration, which lasted for a few minutes, was staged by a dozen of activists who emerged on Abdullah Haroon Road from the Marriott Hotel side. Police had already blocked Abdullah Haroon Road from both ends. Even the pedestrians were not allowed on the road.

The protesters called upon the United States to vacate the holy lands of Najaf and Karbala in Iraq. They chanted anti-US slogans and torched the US flag in front of the consulate.

Following the incident, police mobiles rushed to the spot and picked up the protesters. Police claimed that they had picked up five suspects while rest of their accomplices managed to escape.

Those who were booked for breach of peace under sections 147, 148, 149 and 353 were identified as Askari Raza, Mohammad Ali, Maseeg Haider, Ghulam Abbas and Ali Haider. A duty officer of the Artillary Maidan police station said that about seven protesters slipped from the spot.

Earlier, the Pasban-i-Aza had given a call for a rally from the Karachi Press Club to the US Consulate to protest against the illegal US occupation of the holy places in Iraq and an end to the brutal killings of Iraqi people.

In anticipation of the rally, police had sealed all roads leading to the US Consulate before the Friday prayers. Over 1,500 police force was deployed around the roads leading to the consulate.

Roads leading to the Press Club were also blocked by the police. The prolonged closure of all major roads caused a traffic muddle. The worst jam was witnessed on Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road.