ISLAMABAD: The federal government and the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Friday reached an agreement to end countrywide protests against the acquittal of Asia Bibi in a high-profile blasphemy case.
According to a five-point agreement signed by the two sides, the government agreed that it will not raise objection to a review petition filed by the complainant against Asia Bibi’s acquittal, and that due legal process will be followed to put her name on the exit control list (ECL) to bar her from leaving the country.
The five points of the agreement are:
1) A review petition has been filed in the Asia Bibi case, which is the right of the petitioners. The government will raise no objection to 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 hurt during the protests.
The agreement was signed by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sahibzada Dr Noorul Haq Qadri and Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat from the government side.Pir Afzal Qadri and Waheed Noor signed the document on behalf of the TLP.
“After almost 48 hours, we have reached a conclusion following extensive negotiations including both federal and provincial government representatives,” Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri told a private TV channel.
The TLP took to streets after the acquittal of Asia Bibi by the Supreme Court in a blasphemy case on October 30, paralysing the major cities of the country. In a televised national broadcast the same day, Prime Minister Inman Khan had warned the protesters the government would act against any prolonged blockade.”We will not allow any damages. We will not allow traffic to be blocked,” Khan had said.
Published in Daily Times, November 3rd 2018.
