Christians keep low profile after ruling
Christians and other non-Muslim Pakistanis have decided to keep a low profile following the historic Supreme Court verdict that freed Asia Bibi, fearing a backlash from extremists and Islamist hardliners.
The Christian community living in Islamabad and Rawalpindi cautiously welcomed the verdict, but didn’t show any signs of celebration over the historic decision. Catholic schools remained closed in Islamabad and Rawalpindi yesterday. “We will resume work only after law and order returns,” said a staff of Pindi’s St Mary Cambridge school. William Pervaiz, coordinator of an NGO called Pattan, told Gulf News: “It’s a great decision and we feel that the change Imran Khan had promised is taking place now.” But Pitras, a worker at the NGO, said he wouldn’t celebrate: “This is Pakistan dear, and no one knows when some fanatic person will come and slit your throat.”