Protests against attacks on Shi'ites spread across Pakistan yesterday as the prime minister flew to the western city of Quetta to meet mourners who refused to bury their dead until the government promised better protection from Sunni militants.

The protests were triggered by twin bombings on Thursday targetting Shi'ite ethnic Hazaras in Quetta, capital of Balochistan province. The attacks, claimed by the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi militant group, killed at least 96.

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf met local leaders in Quetta.