A supporter of religious and political party Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chants slogans with others after the Supreme Court overturned the conviction of a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy against Islam, during a protest in Karachi, Pakistan October 31, 2018. The writing on the banners reads in Urdu, "Ready to sacrifice our life for Mohammad; "No insult will be accepted on the sanctity of Mohammad".
In a protest against the acquittal of Christian woman in a blasphemy case, thousands of people blocked roads across Pakistan on Thursday, police and local media reported.
The protests cut off scores of cities and towns from capital Islamabad and provincial capitals, suspending the traffic.
Angry mobs of religious activists -- mainly belonging to newly-emerged Sunni group, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) -- staged sit in on key roads in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Multan, and other major cities.
The government shut down all the schools, colleges, and universities in respective cities.
Supporters of the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) staged a protest against the court decision to overturn the conviction of Christian woman Asia Bibi, in Lahore on Wednesday.
Protest erupts after Pakistani court acquits Christian woman of blasphemy
The sit-in at the entrance route of Islamabad suspended the traffic between the capital and Rawalpindi, a garrison city in the northeastern Punjab province, which houses the headquarters of the country’s powerful army.
The traffic between Islamabad and Peshawar, the capital of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province also was suspended due to the closure of motorway.
The historic Grand Trunk (GT) road, which connects Lahore, the country’s second largest city and the capital of Punjab province, with several cities and towns, including Peshawar, was also blocked at several portions by the infuriated protesters.
Thousands of policemen, paramilitary troops, and rangers were deployed across the country in case of any violence.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan will pay a five-day visit to the Chinese capital of Beijing on Thursday, according to the Foreign Ministry.Khan's first official visit to China after assuming office in August will happen upon the invitation of the Chinese leadership.According to a statement by the Foreign Ministry, Khan will hold meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang and participate in the inauguration of the first China International Import Expo being held in Shanghai.Pakistani court acquits Christian woman of blasphemy"During the visit, the two sides will review the entire range of bilateral relations which have enjoyed a long history of mutual trust and mutual support, while the two sides will also sign several agreements and MoUs (memorandum of understanding) of cooperation in diverse fields," said Mohammad Faisal, spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry. Khan's visit is expected to provide further impetus to enhancing the existing strategic ties between Pakistan and China and break new grounds for broadening the bilateral partnership, Faisal said.Khan's visit to China -- Pakistan's "all weather" ally -- comes ahead of an IMF official's visit to Islamabad on Nov. 7 for a formal discussion on a bailout package for the cash-strapped country.
Pakistani premier to pay official visit to China
However, no major damage to lives or properties was reported across the country so far.
On Wednesday, Pakistan’s Supreme Court acquitted Aasia Bibi who was sentenced to death by a district court in November 2010 for blasphemous remarks against Prophet Muhammad.
Bibi is likely to leave the country as her family fears for safety.
Blasphemy, against Islam and Prophet Muhammad, is a criminal offense that can carry the death penalty in Pakistan. While the state has never executed anyone under the law, mere allegations have stirred mass protests and violence.