DHAKA: The Pakistan government on Thursday said it will register a case of murder against prime minister Nawaz Sharif and 20 others, for their alleged role in the clashes that killed 14 supporters of the cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri.

‘A process for the FIR has started and the government will not appeal against court orders,’ Pakistan’s defence minister, Khawaja Asif said during a debate in Pakistan’s national assembly.

The registration of a case has been a major demand of anti-government protestors led by Qadri and flamboyant cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan who have been camping outside the parliament.

A Lahore high court had ordered the registration of a murder case against PM Sharif, his brother Shahbaz, his nephew Hamza Shahbaz, interior minister Chaudhry Nisar, defence minister Khawaja Asif, railways minister Rafique and information minister Pervaiz

Qadri’s party. Pakistan Awami Tehreek, had named them in the murder of 14 people who were killed in clashes with the police on June 17 in Lahore, just a few days ahead of his arrival from Canada.

BDST: 1732 HRS, AUG 28, 2014