Pakistan’s top court has acquitted the Christian woman who was sentenced to death in 2010 on blasphemy charges, a landmark ruling that could ignite mass protests or violence by hard-line Islamists.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar announced the verdict to a packed courtroom and ordered Asia Bibi released. She had been held at an undisclosed location for security reasons and is expected to leave the country.
While authorities have stepped up security at churches across the country, protests have already begun.
Shortly after the ruling, hundreds of Islamists blocked a key road linking the city of Rawalpindi with the capital, Islamabad.
Islamists in Pakistan’s largest city of Karachi and in the north-western city of Peshawar were also gathering for the protests. Similar rallies were held elsewhere. Police urged demonstrators to disperse peacefully.
Paramilitary troops were deployed in Islamabad to prevent protesters from reaching the Supreme Court, where security for the judges was beefed up.
In advice on the Foreign Office website, it states: “Protests can occur with little warning and can turn violent quickly. You should avoid demonstrations, large crowds of people and public events.
“Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Pakistan. There’s a high threat of…
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