Life returns to normalcy after end of countrywide protests

KARACHI: Business and other activities resumed in Karachi, Lahore and other big cities of the country after the sit-ins staged by religious parties against a Supreme Court verdict ended on Saturday, ARY News reported.

Demonstrations that started on Wednesday, after Supreme Court’s verdict to release Asia Bibi, had left major highways, including the motorway connecting Lahore and Islamabad — blocked and routine life paralyzed in major cities, and caused massive traffic jams countrywide.

The protest rallies and sit-ins ended after the government reached an agreement with the leading religious party behind the protests, the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).

According to the agreement reached between the government and the TLP, the government will not oppose the review petition filed in the case of Asia Bibi by a protester.

Besides, the government promised to take legal measures to place Asia Bibi’s name on the Exit Control List (ECL) and protesters taken into custody by the law enforcers from Oct 30 onwards would be released with immediate effect.

Yesterday, State Minister for Interior Affairs, Shehryar Afridi ruled out the use of force against the protesters and said the writ of the state will be ensured.

Mr. Afridi said that the 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.

The protests had begun following the Supreme Court’s October 31 verdict acquitting Asia Bibi of blasphemy charges.

Schools and colleges remained closed while mobile phone services were also suspended in several cities as the law enforcers struggled to maintain law and order situation that hit routine life hard, taking heavy toll on commercial and business activities in several cities, including the country’s economic hub, Karachi.