DHAKA: Pakistan is preparing to launch a selective crackdown against anti-government protesters trying to bring down the government of prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif said, warning demonstrators against storming government buildings.

Dashing chances of a peace deal between the government and protest leaders Imran Khan and Tahir ul-Qadri, protesters stormed the state television building on Monday and have also tried to march on Sharif’s residence in central Islamabad.

The defence minister told media in an interview at his house hours after the storming of the state television building the government would not hesitate to enforce its writ and was considering cracking down against those attacking state institutions, reports The Straits Times.

‘If not mass arrests, selective use of force can be used,’ Asif said, describing one option the government may decide to exercise following a meeting between Sharif and his top aides.

BDST: 2014 HRS, SEP 01, 2014