11/01/2018 Pakistan (International Christian Concern) – Mobs of Islamists in Pakistan continued to protest for a second day following the Supreme Court’s decision to acquit Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who was formally convicted of blasphemy. Streets in several cities, including Karachi and Lahore, were blocked by groups of protesters demanding the government reverse the decision and kill the Christian woman.

Yesterday, October 31, the Supreme Court of Pakistan announced it final decision in the blasphemy case against Bibi. In a 56-page decision, the court found that there was not enough evidence to support the conviction and rendered Bibi’s death sentence null and void.

Mobs of Islamists took to the streets shortly after the decision was announced. A senior leader of the Tehreek-e-Labaik (TLP) party called for the Justices responsible for the decision to acquit Bibi to be killed. “They all three deserve to be killed,” Muhammad Afzal Qadri told a group of protesters in Lahore. “Either their security, their driver, or their cook should kill them.”

In a nationally televised broadcast, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Imran Khan, warned protesters that the government would take action against them if they did not disburse. “We will not allow any damages. We will not allow traffic to be blocked,” Prime Minister Khan said. “I appeal to you, do not push the state to the extent that it is forced to take action.”

Pakistani Christians remain on edge fearing attack. Many fear that the fury of the country’s Islamists will be aimed at their community and are pleading for government protection. In response, police and anti-riot officials have been deployed to Christian neighborhoods and churches across the country.

For interviews with William Stark, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].