Pak police arrest cleric behind Asia Bibi protests

International Desk: Pakistani police have arrested the leader of a hard-line Islamist party who staged nationwide rallies against the acquittal of Christian woman Asia Bibi. The cleric's protests brought major cities to a standstill.

Prominent cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi has been arrested at his residence in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, his Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) party said in a statement.

A further 700 TLP leaders were arrested in simultaneous raids in multiple cities on Friday evening, Pakistani Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told DW.

"There is no time frame for how many days Mr. Rizvi could be detained, and law and order is under control," Chaudhry said.

Police also rounded up scores of the cleric's supporters, who clashed with officers after he was taken away. At least five people were injured, police said.

The arrests came just a few weeks after the leader of the ultra-conservative TLP led massive demonstrations across the country against the Supreme Court's decision to acquit Christian woman Asia Bibi.

Agencies


risingbd/Dhaka/Nov 24, 2018/Nasim