Pakistan has been in a state of utter chaos, following Asia Bibi’s acquittal in the nearly decade-long blasphemy case. People rejoiced over the court’s ruling and many were ecstatic about the decision. However, this happiness was short lived. TLP and its members were enraged by the decision and started nationwide riots. Soon things went completely out of hand.
Following three days of protests and riots throughout Pakistan over Asia Bibi case’s verdict, PTI’s leadership finally tried to managed the commotion.
‘Tried’ being the operative word here.
As per the PTI management, talks with the protestors and party leaders were on their way and soon a solution was to be found. Even the PM, himself, told the people of Pakistan, in a national address, to maintain their composure, using choice words against the perpetrators of this chaos.
However, after a lot of confusion over Asia Bibi’s fate, a photo of a very troublesome document made rounds on social media, which comprised of the points the TLP had put forth.
Good that agreement is done in order to end chaos. Can the people of Pakistan Esp the ones whose property was destroyed go to court on basis of Point 5 that TLP didn’t not just hurt sentiments but public & private property was destroyed deliberately & be made liable to compensate pic.twitter.com/8G8C2NNz3E
ContentsFollowing three days of protests and riots throughout Pakistan over Asia Bibi case’s verdict, PTI’s leadership finally tried to managed the commotion.However, after a lot of confusion over Asia Bibi’s fate, a photo of a very troublesome document made rounds on social media, which comprised of the points the TLP had put forth.In the end, there was a half-assed apology by the TLP figureheads which has managed to piss of millions across the entire nation.An apology was not going to suffice for the collateral damage the riots had caused.Since the government seemed interested in bending over for talks with those inciting violence against state institutions, civil society has decided to take things into their own hands.A petition is also being circulated to have a criminal trial against Khadim Rizvi for spreading terrorism in Pakistan. Besides Jibran Nisar, people who were stirred by how events had transpired also started campaigning for the same cause.And to their delight, the movement has started to catch on, Osman Khalid Butt is now part of this movement, too.Apart from the civil society activists, the government has also started to take action against the protestorsThe bottom line is: Pakistanis are uniting to take action. This is evident through their reactions to the petitions too.Pakistanis Are Sharing Things That Last Longer Than The Government’s Stance & It’s Actually Pretty FunnyOh Teri! Khadim Rizvi Is Tweeting In “Mushkil English” And People Are Shocked— Hassan Nadeem Khan (@Khan_HassanN) November 2, 2018
In the end, there was a half-assed apology by the TLP figureheads which has managed to piss of millions across the entire nation.
@PTIofficial Dear PRIME MINISTER IMRAN KHAN, govt. signed agreement with TLP to end dharna and violence, TLP apologised in that agreement for any “dil azaari” Sir, my car is burnt by TLP goons, Would I get compensation 4m Govt. or just an apology like TLP ? Plz answer
— Furqan Warsi (@MeeFW) November 3, 2018
An apology was not going to suffice for the collateral damage the riots had caused.
Just to make sense of last night’s ‘apology’ the TLP. If the burnt vehicles and damage to property is a compensation to Aasia and her family for all the misery then maybe we as Pakistani’s should think of it that way #TLPDharna That’s the only way to feeling better for now.
— Haroon Shahid (@HaroonsMusic) November 3, 2018
Yea either govt or TLP should pay the losses… apology can’t bring back the hard earned property of poors that is burned into ashes.
— Sajid Sajjad Abbasi (@ssakabbasi) November 3, 2018
People of Pakistan who had suffered, either financially, physically or just emotionally because of the protests were protesting against this joke of an apology and demanded strict legal action to be taken against all those involved in the process.
Since the government seemed interested in bending over for talks with those inciting violence against state institutions, civil society has decided to take things into their own hands.
Jibran Nasir, for instance, took to Twitter to talk about the gravity of the matter and talked not only to his followers but to the members of the government as well.
Hakumat kehti hai corruption karnay walon ko NRO nahi dain gey magar aaj baghawat karnay walon ko NRO de dia. Zulm dekhtay khamosh rehna Gunah hai. I stand with Justice.#IStandWithSupremeCourt #JusticeForAsia. Let us raise our voices against tyranny https://t.co/PnCZsvG1lC
— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) November 2, 2018
A petition is also being circulated to have a criminal trial against Khadim Rizvi for spreading terrorism in Pakistan.
Besides Jibran Nisar, people who were stirred by how events had transpired also started campaigning for the same cause.
🚨 !!!THIS IS HAPPENING!!! 🚨#IStandWithSupremeCourt #JusticeForAsia pic.twitter.com/0PD9q2Vejq
— citizen of a spineless riyasat™ (@merabichrayaar) November 3, 2018
Hey, @Quratulainb. This is happening and it’s legit. Would love it if you could spread the word among people who’d want to sign as petitioners. https://t.co/6DleqqpDAP
— citizen of a spineless riyasat™ (@merabichrayaar) November 3, 2018
Hey, @alisethimusic. This is happening and it’s legit. Would love it if you could spread the word among people who’d want to sign as petitioners. https://t.co/6DleqqpDAP
— citizen of a spineless riyasat™ (@merabichrayaar) November 3, 2018
And to their delight, the movement has started to catch on, Osman Khalid Butt is now part of this movement, too.
Ji, TLP, meri aur is mulk ki bila jawaz dil-azaari bhi hui aur bohat takleef bhi.
And I reject your weak-ass apology.
Join me, and raise your voice: https://t.co/4zC78zrYhr— Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) November 3, 2018
In order to get insight about these petitions, MangoBaaz talked to one of the members of Pakistan Votes who told us how the organization is making an effort to take the legal recourse:
“The legal route is a slow process, it’s ironic really that committing an act of violence or a crime can happen within minutes but seeking justice is a painfully slow process. The key is we cannot let ourselves grow numb to such episodes. There has been a gross breach of our fundamental rights and we cannot let this slip.”
Apart from the civil society activists, the government has also started to take action against the protestors
According to reports, more than 5000 TLP activists have been arrested after Prime Minister Imran Khan ordered a crackdown against the protestors who engaged in vandalism. This comes only a day after the “deal” was struck with TLP leadership.
Minister of State for Interior, Shehryar Afridi said, “I respect the religious scholars who said they were not involved in the damage and that some miscreants were doing this. The interior ministry is taking steps to identify those miscreants”.
Cases have also been registered against Khadim Hussain Rizvi, among other TLP leaders.
The bottom line is: Pakistanis are uniting to take action. This is evident through their reactions to the petitions too.
https://twitter.com/AlishbaMaaheer/status/1058752338826067968
https://twitter.com/moinulhaq93/status/1058751896385667073
I agree with you in your honest cause.
— Mohammad Zafarullah (@MZBHYD) November 3, 2018
These past few days have been very challenging for Pakistan. The country has suffered monetary and physical loss, and how the country recuperates from this mess is another debate altogether. Let us know what you think about all of this in the comments.
Pakistanis Are Sharing Things That Last Longer Than The Government’s Stance & It’s Actually Pretty Funny
Oh Teri! Khadim Rizvi Is Tweeting In “Mushkil English” And People Are Shocked
Cover image via thenews.com.pk
