Afridi rules out use of force against protesters

ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Interior Affairs, Shehryar Afridi while ruling out the use of force against the people, protesting countrywide against acquittal of Asia Bibi, said the writ of the state will be ensured.

Briefing the newsmen outside the Parliament House on Friday (today), the minister said negotiations were underway with the outraged protesters for fraternal and peaceful solution of the current situation.

“Government was striving to meet a peaceful solution of  continuing protests, adding that the sitting government was hopeful for a positive ‘breakthrough’ of the matter.

Addressing on the floor of the National Assembly on Thursday (November 1), Shehryar Afridi said “the nation will soon hear good news related to ongoing protest, that triggered after SC’s verdict in Asia Bibi case.

“Nobody would be allowed to establish state within the state”, it is responsibility of the state to protect the followers of every religion and sect, the minister said.

The interior minister also assured full protection to Asia Bibi and the judges.

Aasia Bibi Case

The country’s top court on Wednesday set aside the conviction of a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, condemned to death for blasphemy. This verdict came on an appeal filed by the woman challenging her capital punishment awarded by Lahore High Court (LHC).

A mother of five, Asia Bibi had been on death row since 2010, when Pope Benedict XVI joined in international calls for her release.

In 2015 her daughter met with Pope Francis, who as the head of the Catholic Church offered prayers for her mother.

Ms Bibi was arrested after three women went to a local cleric in Sheikhupura, to report her and the trial court convicted and sentenced her to death.

She appealed to the Lahore High Court, which upheld the decision in October 2014, with the case ending up at the Supreme Court.