Protestors seize Metropolitan, other cites as Supreme Court acquits Asia Bibi
Protests erupted in Karachi along with other parts of country following SC verdict that acquitted Aasia Bibi on blasphemous charges on Wednesday. As the verdict was not welcomed by some fractions of religious groups.
Hours after the SC verdict PM Pakistan Imran Khan while addressing the nation urged the citizens to remain peaceful, abstain from adhering to acts of provocation.
I have come to address the nation on the views expressed by a small faction of our society vilifying the decision of the Supreme Court of Pakistan – Prime Minister Imran Khan pic.twitter.com/O6s77lmyfa
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) October 31, 2018
PM in his address quoted, “Today, the Supreme Court of Pakistan issued a verdict,” PM Imran said during his address to the nation. “This decision of the judges was given in accordance with the Constitution, which itself functions under the Quran and the Sunnah”.
He further added, “Those provoking the masses to take to streets, and threatening to attack state institutions will not be tolerated.”
The ongoing protests in Karachi are clogging the city’s main thoroughfares and roads. According to the news source following areas of Karachi are effected with the demonstrations:
Teen Talwar, Boat Basin, Lover Lane Signal, Tower, Shahab Uddin Market, Essa Nagri towards Gharibabad, 4K Chowrangi, 5 Star Chowrangi, Al Karam, Karimabad , University Road, Star Gate,Hassan Square, Askri Park to Hassan Sq, Jauhar Chowrangi to Jauhar, Korangi 2 ½ , Korangi 5, Godown Chowrangi, Murtaza Chowrangi, Chamra Chowrangi, Vita Chowrangi, Baloch Colony Expressway, Orangi Poney 5 Chowrangi, Hub River Northern Bypass, Bara Board, Mauripur Road, Paracha Chowk, 8-D Chowk, Dabba More (Northern Bypass), Metrovill Bab-e-Khyber, Al Asif Zero Point, Dawood Chowrangi, Maskan Chowrangi.
According to the latest development the Sindh Government has issued security alert for Thursday morning. Meanwhile the private schools will remain close on Thursday in Karachi according to the private schools association notification.
Karachi traffic police have also issued a traffic alert on social media:
Due to protest, at Soharb Goth near Adil Shah Coach Stop. Road is closed from Sohrab towards Hyderabad.
Traffic is diverted to Gulshan Iqbal.
Please drive carefully.
TRAFFIC AWARENESS AND SOCIAL MEDIA UNIT DIG TRAFFIC KARACHI.— Karachi Traffic Police (@Khitrafficpol) October 31, 2018
It is not just Karachi, protests have erupted in many other cities of Pakistan. Partial suspension of cellular phone services reportedly affecting different areas of Lahore and Islamabad. Authorities and senior police officials’ meetings are reported to be taking place in Lahore and Islamabad with the main agenda to discuss possible options for clearing blockages.
As blockages remain as per last report in Punjab, Capital and some areas in Peshawar, the crackdown against some of the key leaders and protesters is reported to be already initiated later in the Wednesday evening.
