Protest may be end tonight, says Punjab Info Minister

Punjab Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan has informed that sit-in protest against Asia Bibi’s acquittal is expected to end tonight.

The minister said that a review petition against Supreme Court’s verdict has been submitted by three lawyers today (Thursday). An appeal will also be submitted to place name of the accused on Exit Control List (ECL).

"Don’t want anyone to challenge writ of the state," Chohan stated, adding that the government does not intend to use force against protestors.

Earlier, while speaking on the ongoing protests across the country, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry stressed that the government would not allow anyone to challenge the writ of the state.

"We have decided that we will proceed with a strategy on this, and the opposition has ensured us of their complete cooperation," Chaudhry said during a news conference in Islamabad.

Addressing "some elements", the information minister said the government does not want the situation to result in any damage or violence.

It may be mentioned here that protesters have blocked roads in different cities following the Supreme Court’s verdict on Wednesday to acquit Asia Bibi in a case related to blasphemy.

Addressing the National Assembly today, PPP leader Khurshid Shah said protecting and strengthening the state and its institutions is our joint responsibility. He said we should save the country from anarchy and chaos. He said we stand by the state institutions.

However, Khurshid Shah strongly criticized Prime Minister Imran Khan’s address to the nation saying his aggressive posture will not help improve situation in the country.

Responding to the points of the PPP leader, Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood said it is the first time in the country’s history that a strong and clear stand was taken by a Prime Minister that nobody will be allowed to challenge the writ of the state.

He said it is the responsibility of the government to implement the judgement of the Supreme Court in Aasiya Bibi case. He said the opposition parties should not indulge in political point scoring on the matter rather they should sit with the government on matters of national interests.