PM warns protesters after Asia Bibi’s acquittal
Imran slams language used by a ‘small segment’ in reaction to the verdict; TLP leader calls for death of judges in case; ‘I just don’t know what to say, I am very happy, I can’t believe it,’ Bibi told AFP by phone from jail
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan hit out at religious hardliners and appealed for calm on Wednesday after they called for the country’s Supreme Court (SC) judges to be murdered for overturning the conviction of a Christian woman facing execution for blasphemy.
Imran, who took to the nation’s airwaves several hours after the court ordered the acquittal of Asia Bibi, delivered a forceful call for Pakistanis to respect the verdict which sparked protests across the country.
“They are inciting you for their own political gain, you should not get trapped by them for the sake of the country, they are doing no service to Islam,” Imran said in a televised broadcast.
“I’m here only because a Supreme Court verdict was announced today and the way a small section reacted to it and the language that they used... i’m forced to address you,” Imran said.
“The decision of the judges is according to the constitution and Pakistan’s constitution is according to the teachings of Islam.”
“We will protect people’s properties and lives, we will not allow any sabotage, we will not Allow Any trafic to BE stopped,” he added.
Demonstrations broke out in major cities across Pakistan in the ruling’s wake, with club-wielding protesters blocking Islamabad’s main highway and barricading roads in Karachi and Lahore.
One of the most vocal groups — the Tehrik-e-labaik Pakistan (TLP) — called for “mutiny” against the army’s top brass and the assassination of the top court’s justices.
“The Muslim generals of the army, it is their responsibility that they should launch a rebellion against these generals,” Afzal Qadri — a TLP leader — told supporters in Lahore.
Qadri called for the death of Nisar, the chief justice, and the two other judges on the panel.
“They all three deserve to be killed. Either their security should kill them, their driver kill them, or their cook kill them,” Qadri told protesters in Lahore.
“Whoever, who has got any access to them, kill them BEFORE THE EVENING.” HE also called for the ouster of Khan’s new Government of AND For Army oficers to rise up against powerful military chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who he said “should be sacked from the army.”
Imran, who has previously caused concern with his full-throated defence of blasphemy laws during his recent election campaign, vowed on Wednesday to hit back against hardliners inciting violence, saying THE Inflammatory rhetoric would only Beneit “Pakistan’s ENEMIES.”
PROTECTION DETAIL?
Bibi was set to be released immediately according to the court, although there was no word if any security arrangements were being MADE For HER protection. HER LEGAL team celebrated amid beefed-up security in Islamabad.
Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, who headed a special three-judge bench set up For THE Appeal, CITED THE Holy Quran in the ruling, writing that “tolerance is the basic principle of Islam” and noting the religion condemns injustice and oppression. In overturning her conviction, the ruling said the evidence against Bibi was Insuficient.
Bibi did not appear in the courtroom and her whereabouts were a closely held secret for fear of attacks on her and her family. Many have speculated they will be forced to leave the country, but there was no Conirmation of THEIR plans. HER lawyer called the court ruling “great news” for Pakistan.
“ASIA BIBI HAS inally BEEN served justice,” lawyer Saiful Mulook told Reuters. “Pakistan’s Supreme Court must be appreciated that it upheld the law of the land and didn’t succumb to any pressure.”
“The verdict has shown that the poor, the minorities and the lowest segments of society can get justice in this country despite its shortcomings,” Mulook told AFP. “This is the biggest and happiest day of my life.”
Bibi appeared to be in a state of disbelief after hearing that Nisar had quashed her conviction nearly eight years AFTER SHE was irst SENTENCED to DEATH.
“I can’t believe what I am hearing, will I go out now? Will they let me out, really?” Bibi told AFP by phone from prison after the ruling. “I just don’t know what to say, I am very happy, I can’t believe it.”
HER CASE Drew THE Attention of International rights groups and swiftly became THE most High-proile In THE Country.
Pope Benedict XVI called for her release in 2010, while in 2015 her daughter met his successor and the current head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis.