An Islamist group has agreed to end nationwide protests following the resignation of a government minister. Supporters of the hard-line Tehreek-i-Labaik had accused the minister of breaking strict laws on blasphemy.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary
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An Islamist group in Pakistan said on Monday that it will end a weeks-long protest against a government minister after striking a deal with Islamabad that includes the minister's resignation.
"Our main demands have been accepted," Tehreek-i-Labaik spokesman Ejaz Ashrafi told Reuters news agency. "The government will announce the law minister's resignation and we will end our sit-in today."
Violence erupted at the weekend when police attempted to violently clear a protest camp in the capital. However, authorities failed to demolish the camp, with supporters of the Islamist group Tehreek-i-Labaik clashing with police.
At least seven people were killed and more than 200 people injured, of which 137 were security personnel. Demonstrations against the government minister also took place in several other towns and cities across Pakistan.
Pakistan's Justice Minister Zahid Hamid has been forced to resign as part of a government deal to end the Islamist rally. The government had previously said his "blasphemous" change to the electoral oath was a "clerical error"Image: Imago/Dean Pictures
Blasphemy politics
The weeks-long sit-in was prompted by what the government described as a "clerical error." Law Minister Zahid Hamid said "I believe" instead of "I solemnly swear" while taking an electoral oath.
The incident sparked a major controversy with the hard-line Tehreek-i-Labaik group organizing protests calling for him to resign, accusing him of blasphemy, which is a criminal offense in the Muslim-majority country.
Hafiz Ullah Alvi of Tehreek-i-Labaik told DW that the Islamist party's sole demand is that authorities discipline those "who amended the constitutional clause related to the 'finality' of Prophet Muhammed."
"The government said it was a clerical error. We don't think it was the case. It was done deliberately by the West's agents, who are also members of our parliament," said Alvi.
Pakistan paralyzed by Islamist protests
The situation remains tense across Pakistan on Sunday, after security forces started an operation in the capital on Saturday to disperse anti-blasphemy protests by Islamists.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/A. Majeed
Nationwide protests and clashes
There have been several fatalities and scores of people have been injured in clashes between the protesters and security forces in Islamabad on Saturday. In the southern city Karachi at least 27 people were injured in clashes. Protests also led to the closure of a main road in Lahore. The developments have paralyzed everyday life major cities with violence erupting in 9 cities across the country.
Image: picture-alliance/abaca
Media blackout over 'violation' of law
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has banned all broadcasting for a second day. It argues that media outlets violated government policy by showing live coverage of security operations. Key social media sites also remained blocked. Journalists have condemned the action, saying it will lead to the spread of 'false news' on social media.
Image: picture-alliance/abaca
Goverment acts after three weeks
On Saturday, some 8,500 armed security personnel confronted Islamists, who responded by blocking roads, throwing stones and setting vehicles alight. Security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets. They were unable to gain control over the situation which led to the government requesting military assistance. There has been no official response from the army.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/A. Qureshi
'Intolerance' on display in Pakistan
On November 6, roughly 2,000 members of the Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah Pakiatn began a sit-in in Islamabad after the government amended the text of an oath for parliamentarians. It was seen as a softening of the previous stance towards the minority Ahmadi sect, which was declared non-Muslim by the Pakistani parliament in 1974. The change was quickly reversed.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/B. K. Bangash
'Inaction' causes situation to deteriorate
Demonstrators linked the amendment to blasphemy, a sensitive charge in conservative, Muslim Pakistan. There have since been calls for the resignation of law minister, Zahid Hamid. Civilian governments in Pakistan have a history of being slow to react in such situations. In this case, the Islamabad high Court ordered the government to take action and clear the public roads.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/M. Sajjad
Protests are 'highly disturbing'
Foreign analysts have described the success of the protest as 'highly disturbing' as it demonstrates 'the clout and impunity' enjoyed by religious hardliners in Pakistan. The military is yet to respond to the government's call for help. However, any military intervention is fraught in Pakistan, which has seen multiple coups in its 70-year history.
