In response to the demands of an extremist Islamist party, the Pakistani government has yielded and agreed to prosecute individuals accused of blasphemy as terrorists, in addition to the existing sections of the country's penal code.
The Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) concluded its 25-day protest march in Sarai Alamgir, Gujrat district, approximately 200 km from Lahore, on Saturday, after reaching an agreement with the federal government led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Rana Sanaullah, the Federal Interior Minister, stated that the government has accepted all valid requests from the TLP, particularly concerning blasphemy laws.
As part of the 12-point agreement signed on Saturday with the TLP, the federal government has consented to prosecuting individuals accused of blasphemy and charged under Section 295-C (which pertains to the use of derogatory remarks about the Holy Prophet) of the Pakistan Penal Code under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 1997.
Sanaullah further mentioned that there will be expedited trials for those accused of blasphemy, and a Counter Blasphemy Wing (CBW) will be established under the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for the first time. The government also intends to take measures to block blasphemous content on social media.
According to the Dawn newspaper, the radical Islamic group achieved political advantage as the government agreed to issue a letter declaring that the TLP is not a terrorist organization.
Additionally, the government has agreed to lift the ban on TLP coverage in the media, both broadcast and social, and has also committed to withdrawing all political cases filed against TLP workers and leaders.
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