Pakistan Islamists block roads to protest acquittal of Christian

By Syed Raza Hassan

 

Supporters of the Tehrik-e-Labaik Pakistan Islamist political party block the Faizabad junction to protest after the Supreme Court overturned the conviction of a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy against Islam, in Islamabad, Pakistan October 31, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood

 

KARACHI, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistan's ultra-Islamist party blocked roads in major cities for a third day on Friday in protest against the acquittal of a Christian woman on death row for blasphemy allegations.

 

Tehreek-e-Labaik (TLP) said talks with the government have failed, and called upon its followers to get ready for a show down.

 

"Talks have completely failed, Federal and provincial representatives and an Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) General Faiz took part in talks," Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the leader of TLP said in a tweet early on Friday morning.

 

"Government has warned,'we will finish you off'," Rizvi said in his tweet.

 

Knots of protesters from TLP blocked roughly 10 roads in the southern city of Karachi and others in eastern Lahore, Goer TV and other channels said. Private schools in both cites were shut, as well as in the capital.

 

Groups of about 200 protesters from TLP sat under large tents, listening to speeches on two blocked roads in Karachi, a Reuters witness said.

 

In one speech, a TLP speaker exhorted supporters to light new fires if the police managed to douse burning tyres and other objects they had already set ablaze.

 

The demonstrators were protesting the court's decision on Wednesday to free Asia Bib, a mother of four, who had been living on death row since 2010, as the first woman sentenced to death by hanging under Pakistan's tough blasphemy laws.

 

Bib was accused of making derogatory remarks about Islam after neighbours objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not Muslim.

 

But a three-judge panel set up to hear the appeal, headed by Chief Justice Sahib Nissan, ruled the evidence was insufficient.

The case has divided Pakistan, where two politicians who sought to help Bib were assassinated, and outraged Christians worldwide, with Pope Francis saying he personally prayed for Bib.

 

In a televised national broadcast late on Wednesday, Prime Minister Inman Khan 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 said. "I appeal to you, do not push the state to the extent that it is forced to take action."

 

Khan's broadcast followed comments by a senior leader of TLP, calling for Chief Justice Nissan and the other two judges to be killed.

 

"They all three deserve to be killed," TLP co-founder Muhammad Fatal Badri told a protest in Lahore. "Either their security, their driver, or their cook should kill them."

 

He also called for the ouster of Khan's new government and urged army officers to rise up against powerful military chief General Lamar Jawed Baja.

 

Hafiz Sae, an influential Islamist whom the U.S. accuses of being the mastermind of attacks in Mumbai in 2008 that killed 166, has called for protests after Friday afternoon prayers.

 

Another Islamist group, the Millie Yakjehti Council, is also meeting on Thursday to discuss Bib's case and may launch protests.

 

The whereabouts of Bib and her family are unclear, and speculation is growing that she will leave Pakistan with her family, who have been in hiding for much of the past eight years.

 

(Writing by Drazen Jorgic; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Chris Reese)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-11-02

Well there we have it.

  Islam wants to be treated fairly in our countries but want to kill a christian for drinking from the same glass.in their countries.

  More than just a double standard I would say. More like hatred of others. 

  Why do we put up with this shiit,  All the do gooders in the west should grow up and smell the coffee. They have been in denial way to long.

Now - is this the religion of peace?

Or of hate?

 

 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

in Islamabad

clues in the name

Let's hope the more sensible people in Pakistan - i.e., those who live in the 21st century and not the 7th century - have control of their nuclear weapons.  

 

A nuclear winter can affect us all.  

6 hours ago, webfact said:

"They all three deserve to be killed," TLP co-founder Muhammad Fatal Badri told a protest in Lahore. "Either their security, their driver, or their cook should kill them."

Notice how this brave Muhammad wants to have others do his killings for him, preferably while he has a smoke and a good time with his favorite goat.

This is a country that is number one for accessing porn sites in the world, particularly porn that specializes in bestiality. Also high on the list for pedophilia and child exploitation. What a bunch of neanderthal hypocrites.

They make it hard to believe those who claim that Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance and blame Western countries for their intolerance and racism against Islam.

Tehreek-e-Labbaik: New far right campaigns against 'blasphemy'

Hardline party, which formed last year, rallies support by focusing its political messaging on religious ideology.

" "When it involves the honour of the Prophet Muhammad, the finality of his prophethood or the dishonouring of his person, then every Muslim will become an extremist," says Ejaz Ashrafi, a senior TLP leader, in an interview with Al Jazeera."

https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/tehreek-labbaik-campaigns-blasphemy-180705154014562.html

 

 

 

 

What an incredibly effed up country this is ! They say the most terrifying thing in the world is ignorance in action, and pakistan exemplifies the phrase !

No wonder Islam is viewed by so many 'non-believers' as a 'crock of shit'.

Difficult to decide whether the religion is a crock of sh_t, or too many of its adherents. 

My first thoughts are; to raise the village where this started to the ground, but that unfortunately would only bring reprisals.

7 hours ago, webfact said:

where two politicians who sought to help Bib were assassinated, and outraged Christians worldwide, with Pope Francis saying he personally prayed for Bib.

Trump should allow Bib asylum in America and make her the poster woman many things. 

  Women's lib ,why to control immigration tighter etc.

1 hour ago, giddyup said:

What a bunch of neanderthal hypocrites.

No self-respecting Neanderthal would want anything to do with these creatures.

Blasphemy laws are an absolute abomination , end of story.

These people are 1,000 years behind the civilised world.

But please dont use this as an excuse to bash Islam per se.

Plenty of Christians / other faiths also used blasphemy as a tool to weald power and settle scores , both in the past and today ( notably evangelical Africa ).

8 hours ago, sweatalot said:

Now - is this the religion of peace?

Or of hate?

Religion? more like a killer cult.

$ hit Hole springs to mind...

 

 

“Protesters chanted “hang the blasphemer” and “hang the judges” as they marched through the capital in the absence of a heavy security presence. 
“The entire country is protesting because this decision was made under international pressure,” protester Abdul Rauf said.
They are threatening the government, the judiciary and the army but it seems the government and military are reluctant because they fear backlash,”

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/547038

 

 

 

"Liberals hope that the prime minister, who echoed the TLP’s rhetoric on the campaign trail and has already backed down before the group, will stick to his newfound principles under the most severe test of a turbulent first 10 weeks in power. “It’s up in the air,” said analyst Fasi Zaka. “You still get the feeling they are figuring out what to do.”
https://www.gulf-times.com/story/611552/Committee-formed-to-end-ongoing-protests

Seems that Vogie finds uncomfortable facts sad , denial is far sadder.

I would like to know what she actually said. A stand up comedian could come up with a good bit over it.

I'm so thankful that i wasn't brought up in a religious family. Religion should never be pushed onto kids because by the time they're old enough to make their own decisions, its too late they're already brainwashed.  

18 hours ago, webfact said:

 

 

 

18 hours ago, webfact said:

They all three deserve to be killed," TLP co-founder Muhammad Fatal Badri told a protest in Lahore. "Either their security, their driver, or their cook should kill them."

Bit strong that advocating mullahring someone up .. 

10 hours ago, joecoolfrog said:

Blasphemy laws are an absolute abomination , end of story.

These people are 1,000 years behind the civilised world.

But please dont use this as an excuse to bash Islam per se.

Plenty of Christians / other faiths also used blasphemy as a tool to weald power and settle scores , both in the past and today ( notably evangelical Africa ).

Wake up and smell the covfefe.

Pakistan works to stop Asia Bibi leaving after blasphemy protests

Administration accused of signing Bibi’s ‘death warrant’ in deal with hardliners

"  the government promised not to oppose a court petition to reverse Bibi’s release. It also pledged to work in the meantime to put her name on the exit control list (ECL) which would prevent her leaving the country."

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/02/outrage-as-pakistani-government-vows-to-stop-asia-bibi-leaving

So.. let's understand that Islam is a political system which in its very principle claims to organize the whole of society, and to exert a higher spiritual power to which is subjected any other necessarily lower power, judicial for example.

 

5 hours ago, seahorse said:

Wake up and smell the covfefe.

Please explain how anything I said was factually incorrect. Thats right you can't so instead resort to meaningless drivel , typical but not at all surprising sadly.

Asia Bibi's lawyer life at risk,  Saif-ul-Mulook, left without security since April 2018 

https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/04/25/aasia-bibis-lawyers-life-at-risk-as-police-withdraws-security-despite-court-orders/

 

 

 

8 hours ago, joecoolfrog said:

Seems that Vogie finds uncomfortable facts sad , denial is far sadder.

What I choose to like or not like is of no concern of yours. If you have a problem with that report your concerns to the relevent authorities otherwise I would remind you not to mention my name in posts as it is againgst forum rules.

15 hours ago, joecoolfrog said:

Plenty of Christians / other faiths also used blasphemy as a tool to weald power and settle scores , both in the past and today ( notably evangelical Africa ).

    Statements like this are pure garbage. You are basically saying 2 wrongs make a right. You seem to think because in the past the christians made mistakes that others are now justified to do atrocities such carp I can hardly tolerate.                                                                                                                                                                     And your that these people as you put it are 1000 years behind the civilised world is also pure garbage.    These people are followers of their faith which is 1000's of years old as would be expected .It is their basic beliefs that they follow that are the problem and it is their culture .What was written 1000's of years ago is still their guiding force. That cannot be changed. Their beliefs do not evolve they maintain.what is written. They will always be as you say 1000 years behind the civilised world because they cannot follow their beliefs and adapt also. They are who they are .