Updated at 10.00 am, 2nd November, 2018
After two days of country-wide violent protests that brought the country to a grinding halt, it seems things will be going back to normal soon following the government’s move to reach out to the protesters through intermediaries.
There are reports that the protesters staging sit-ins in different parts of the country have shown their willingness to end the protest after the government conceded their two import demands.
The protests have been sparked by a Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday acquitting a blasphemy accused. The protesters are demanding that the acquitted woman’s name be put on the exit control list (ECL) and a review petition be filed in the apex court seeking to reverse its decision to set the woman free.
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According to the sources, talks between the protesting religious groups and the government are moving in the right direction.
They said that the protesters showed their willingness to end protest if their certain demands are accepted.
Earlier today, a meeting between opposition and government was held in Islamabad. The meeting was attended by the members from both the government and opposition which deliberated over the prevailing law and order situation in the country.
The government delegation was headed by the Defence Minister Pervaiz Khatak, which met with the opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto and others.
The Opposition Leader had warned that using force to curb protests will lead to horrific consequences, suggesting the protesters be engaged through talk and persuaded to end sit-ins.
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On Thursday, a review petition was filed in the Supreme Court’s Lahore Registry by a private citizen Azhar Siddiqui .
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During the same time, Punjab’s Minister of Information Fayaz ul Hasan Chauhan went on record to say that hopefully protests will end tonight (Thursday). He also mentioned that Aasia’s name will be put on ECL as per the protesters’ demand.
He said the government has been in contact with Tehrik-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi and other religious groups.
However, an hour later, the Federal government denied that any such settlement was being considered. The Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhary as well as Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari both clarified the news going around:
Minister for Human Rights @ShireenMazari1 tweets in the context of currently prevailing situation #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/NcW38rpxhe
— PTI (@PTIofficial) November 1, 2018
Review petition, a legal right exercised by an individual, accepted by the court. Protests/ violence instead of a legal course was unacceptable. No one can take law into hands and govt shall ensure writ of the state as Expressed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) November 1, 2018
The TLP has called for a nationwide strike for Friday. People are being advised to stay indoors given the uncertain law and order situation in numerous cities.
it is actually false. khadim rizvi has tweeted that the protest will not end.
yeah, because they want something else!
yep they want anarchy.
government should do as mursi did in egypt and gun them all down.
well, that might be too extreme but you know what these dumb mullahs are evil and better be dead than alive.
They are all conveniently gathered in the same location. We should take advantage of this and bomb them like they have bombed us in our mosques and marketplaces. Surely it is only fair?
Should hang this DALA khadim hussain rizvi for treason and inciting to commit murder.
Who are these people destroying public properties?
khadim rizvi k “aashiq-e-rasool”
I am pretty sure there is a proxy war happening during current crisis. Some people are being paid to destroy and create anarchy. And benefiting from current situation, someone just assassinated Maulana Sami ul Huq. They are doing level best to destabilise the country.
I don’t know if this will result in yet another model town, but STRICT action needs to be taken against such people now.
Reap what you sow. This foundation of hooliganism was sowed by the beloved PM. Have fun containing the situation now, while we the public curse you until our breaths stink -_-
No in 21st century major chaos by a political party was carried out by Nawaz against ppp government in 2009 when he was inviting police to not do anything and instead following government orders join the public and his supporters were destroying everything in their way to reach to Islamabad and speeches of his brother Shehbaz against President of that Asif Zardari imran khan was second to them. But i agree with his several action wasn’t inappropriate and will cause a lot of hurdles for him now.
This dalla khadim hussain should be arrested for terrorism.