Tag Bibi

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi on Wednesday assured that the federal government will uphold the Supreme Court’s verdict and not place Asia Bibi’s name on the Exit Control List (ECL) until she is proven guilty.

During an interview with the Voice of America, the minister of state for interior while speaking about the recent country-wide protests following the top court verdict acquitting Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death on blasphemy charges, said, “Among the protesters there was a group of people who were damaging property for their own personal gains and agenda.”

The minister of state for interior said the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) leaders, who the government signed an agreement with to end the demonstrations, refused that the miscreants were party members. “When we informed the TLP leaders of the miscreants and showed them footage, they refused to accept that those rioters belonged to the party,” he added.

Regarding the arrests of rioters, Afridi said, “Those arrested will be treated in a legal manner. I assure you there will no compromise on the supremacy of law.”

“It is the prime minister and other officials’ clear stance that there will be no compromise if anyone breaks or challenges the law,” he asserted.

Speaking about the agreement which stated that “due process will be followed immediately to include the name of Asia Bibi in ECL”, Afridi said, “The government will uphold whatever the Supreme Court decides.”

“If someone cannot be proven guilty then how can we place their name on ECL? There can be no question about that,” the minister of state for interior upheld.

He further said, “All Pakistanis no matter which religion or school of thought they belong to are the responsibility of the state. No one can be given the license to play with lives or property.”

“Asia Bibi and her family is in Pakistan and they are being given security by the government,” he added.

TLP ends countrywide protest after agreement with government

The Supreme Court on October 31 acquitted Bibi after blasphemy charges could not be proven against her and ordered her immediate release.

Following the verdict, protests had erupted in several cities across the country and property was damaged and vehicles set on fire in some places. The demonstrations saw closure of schools, colleges and universities, as well as cancellation of examinations.

The government and the protesters from different religious groups, led by TLP, reached an agreement two days later on Friday, November 2. As per the agreement, the government will raise no objections over the review petition over Bibi’s acquittal. The agreement further stated that due process will be followed immediately to include the name of Asia Bibi in ECL.

ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan and the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) reached an agreement on Friday to end days-long protests that had left roads blocked and paralysed routine life in major cities of the country.

Protests by religious parties, led by the TLP, had erupted on Wednesday after the Supreme Court ordered the release of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman on death row since 2010, acquitting her of blasphemy charges.

Following the agreement, the TLP leaders announced they were ending their sit-ins. The party chief, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, subsequently asked protesters to disperse from all sit-ins peacefully.

“After almost 48 hours, we have reached a conclusion following detailed negotiations including both federal and provincial government representatives,” Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri told Geo News.

Qadri, who was one of the signatories of the five-point document, said the government had agreed to the protesters’ demand that it would not object to a review petition over Asia Bibi’s acquittal.

The federal minister said that due process would be followed according to law where the Supreme Court or High Court would be requested to include her name in the Exit Control List (ECL).
Copy of the agreement signed by TLP and government representatives.

The five points of the agreement are listed below:

1. A review petition has been filed in the Asia Bibi case which is the right of the petitioners. The government will raise no objections over the review petition.

2. Due process will be followed immediately to include the name of Asia Bibi in the Exit Control List (ECL).

3. Immediate legal action will be taken over the martyrdom of any individuals during the protest campaign against the acquittal of Asia Bibi.

4. All those arrested on October 30 or afterwards in the protest campaign against Asia Bibi’s acquittal will be released immediately.

5. The TLP apologises to anybody whose sentiments have been unnecessarily hurt during the incident.

The agreement was signed by federal minister Qadri and Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat — who represented the government — and Pir Mohammad Afzal Qadri and Mohammad Waheed Noor from the TLP.

LAHORE:(Net News/ Media 92 News) Education institutes across Punjab re-opened today (Saturday) after the government and religious parties reached an agreement to end days-long protests after the Supreme Court’s order to release Asia Bibi.

“Schools will remain open in the province today [Saturday] as per routine,” a spokesperson for the Punjab school administration said adding, “Educational activities are to resume.”

However, despite the education institutes re-opening today, there is a low turnout in schools.

Further, new dates for exams postponed in light of the protests across the country will be announced soon.

Schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also re-opened after being closed for two days.

Private and public educational institutions across KP, Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh’s Karachi had remained closed as religious parties had continued to protest the SC’s decision.

Roads in major cities across the country had been blocked and mobile phone services have been suspended in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore and Gujranwala creating a hassle for the residents.