Khaleej Times

Freed Asia Bibi plans to leave Pakistan soon

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islamabad — A Christian woman acquitted in Pakistan after eight years on death row for blasphemy plans to leave the country soon, her family said on Thursday, and authoritie­s said they arrested two prisoners last month for conspiring to kill her.

Radicals mounted rallies across the country for a second day after Pakistan’s Supreme Court overturned the 2010 conviction against Asia for blasphemy. —

islamabad — Religious hardliners incensed by the acquittal of a Christian woman for blasphemy vowed no let up on Thursday to protests paralysing major Pakistani cities a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan vowed to confront them.

Demonstrat­ions broke out after the Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned a blasphemy conviction for Christian mother Asia Bibi, ending her eight year ordeal on death row but infuriatin­g radicals.

One key protest leader has called for the assassinat­ion of the country’s top judges and for mutiny against the army’s top brass since the court’s decision reignited the touchpaper issue.

Another leader on Thursday pledged to continue holding sit-ins in cities across the country with supporters blocking major traffic thoroughfa­res, causing gridlock and school closures in key hubs like Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Karachi.

“The sit-ins will continue whatever the circumstan­ces are,” Khadim Hussain Rizvi, leader of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party, tweeted from his verified account.

Blasphemy is a massively inflammato­ry charge in Muslim-majority Pakistan.

The defiance from the protest leaders came after Khan issued a forceful rebuke in a nationally televised address, saying the government would not tolerate violent protests or groups openly threatenin­g public officials.

“We will protect people’s properties and lives, we will not allow any sabotage,” said Khan on Wednesday evening.

There was no indication on Thursday that authoritie­s were preparing to clear the small pockets of protesters blocking highways.

Informatio­n Minister Fawad Chaudhry said officials had entered talks with the protesters ahead of mass demonstrat­ions scheduled for Friday.

“Negotiatio­ns are ongoing in Lahore and Rawalpindi and I will be able to say something about them later,” Chaudhry told a press briefing, but warned that violence would not be ignored.

“All those found involved in defying the writ of the state will have to pay the price.”

Knots of protesters from the TLP blocked roughly 10 key roads in the southern city of Karachi and others in Lahore, Geo TV and other channels said. Private schools in both cites were shut, as well as in the capital. Groups of about 200 protesters from the TLP sat under large tents, listening to speeches on two blocked roads in Karachi, a Reuters witness said.

In one speech, a TLP speaker exhorted supporters to light new fires if the police managed to douse burning tyres and other objects they had already set ablaze.

The case has divided Pakistan, where two politician­s who sought to help Bibi were assassinat­ed, and outraged Christians worldwide, with Pope Francis saying he personally prayed for Bibi.

Another religious group, the Milli Yakjehti Council, was also meeting on Thursday to discuss Bibi’s case and may launch protests. —

The sit-ins will continue whatever the circumstan­ces are

Khadim Hussain Rizvi, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan leader

Talks are ongoing and I will be able to say something later

Fawad Chaudhry, Informatio­n Minister

 ?? AP ?? Tehreek-e-labbaik Pakistan leaders and workers rally in lahore on Thursday to condemn the supreme Court decision that acquitted Asia Bibi. —
AP Tehreek-e-labbaik Pakistan leaders and workers rally in lahore on Thursday to condemn the supreme Court decision that acquitted Asia Bibi. —
 ?? AFP, AP ?? supporters of the Tehreek-e-labbaik Pakistan (TlP) stop traffic on a street during the protest following the supreme Court decision to acquit Christian woman Asia Bibi, in Peshawar on Thursday; and, right, supporters of the Jamiat ulema-e-islam (fazl) raise slogans during a protest in Karachi against the supreme Court judgement. —
AFP, AP supporters of the Tehreek-e-labbaik Pakistan (TlP) stop traffic on a street during the protest following the supreme Court decision to acquit Christian woman Asia Bibi, in Peshawar on Thursday; and, right, supporters of the Jamiat ulema-e-islam (fazl) raise slogans during a protest in Karachi against the supreme Court judgement. —
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