Mobile phone service suspended in several cities as protests continue

Mobile phone services have been suspended in the federal capital and three other cities in Punjab today, as protests by religious parties continues for a third day against the acquittal of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman on death row for blasphemy allegations.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted earlier that mobile phone services in “Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Gujranwala would be blocked today from 8am till Maghrib”.

Mobile services of Lahore Pindi ISL and Gujranwala Will be blocked from 8 am till Mughrib

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) November 1, 2018

The Supreme Court on Wednesday acquitted Bibi of blasphemy charges, ending her eight-year ordeal on death row but sparking demonstrations by religious parties countrywide.

Protesters blocked roads in major cities across the country, amid efforts by the government to defuse the situation.

Private and public educational institutions are closed across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh’s Karachi today in view of the situation.

In a televised national broadcast late on Wednesday, Prime Minister Imran 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.”

A review petition was filed in the Supreme Court’s Lahore registry against Asia Bibi’s acquittal on Thursday. The review seeks Bibi’s name to be placed on the Exit Control List, which the government has underscored it does not plan to do.

“Federal Government has no plan to put Aasia Bibi’s name on ECL or appeal for a review against the court’s verdict,” the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) tweeted from its official account.