Pakistan giving in to mob rule

The Pakistan Supreme Court’s judgment acquitting Asia Bibi, a Christian woman on death row for blasphemy, was an opportunity for the government to start debating the need to reform the regressive blasphemy laws. Instead, Prime Minister Imran Khan’s administration has capitulated to pressure from extremists, who blocked roads in Islamabad for three days, demanding a reversal of the verdict.

The protest ended after the government agreed it would not oppose the filing of a review petition in the Supreme Court against Bibi’s acquittal. It also promised that she would be prevented from leaving Pakistan.

The question is, how long can the Pakistani government allow extremist mobs to dictate policies, and erode the state’s authority? In 2010, Bibi was convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to death. Salman Taseer, the secular governor of Punjab who had campaigned for her release, was shot dead in 2011. Shahbaz Bhatti, then minister for minorities, was assassinated in the same year after he called for amendments to the law.

By acquitting Bibi, the Supreme Court offered fresh energy to those who campaign against the controversial legislation. The government initially tried to rein in the protests. But by capitulating to the extremists as it did subsequently, the government has not only done her a disservice, but further emboldened extremist sections in Pakistan.