AMN

Pakistan police Sunday arrested nearly 250 people from across the country on charges of arson, vandalism and violence during the three-day mass protests following the acquittal of Christian woman Asia Bibi.

A day after striking a deal with the protesters, the government swung into action as it started a crackdown against the people who vandalised public properties during the protests.

The interior ministry has initiated criminal proceedings against the rioters and booked 5,000 people on charges of rioting and disrupting peace during the demonstrations.

Asia Bibi, a 47-year-old mother of four, was convicted in 2010 after being accused of insulting Islam in a row with her neighbours. She always maintained her innocence but has spent most of the past eight years in solitary confinement.

In a landmark judgement last Wednesday, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar overturned the conviction of Asia Bibi facing execution for blasphemy, sparking protests across Pakistan.