Fundamentalist religious cleric arrested in Pakistan

<p>Pakistani authorities have arrested the fundamentalist Islamic cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi whose supporters have held violent rallies against the Supreme Court’s decision to acquit the Christian woman, Asia Bibi in a blasphemy case.&nbsp;</p> <p>Supporters of the Islamic cleric and his party the Tehreek-e-Labbaik party (TLP), have responded to his arrest on Friday by vowing to shut major cities in a call for stricter adherence to Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.</p> <p>Khadim Hussain Rizvi son, claimed that his madrassa (religious school) in the eastern city of Lahore was raided during the night and he was taken away.</p> <p>After the Supreme Court acquitted Asia Bibi in her blasphemy case, the TLP launched 3 days of protest which resulted with negotiations with the government who agreed to open a review on the court’s decision.</p> <p>Bibi had been placed on death row since 2010 following accusations that she insulted the Prophet Muhammad.&nbsp;</p> <p>TLP have threatened the Supreme court judges and urged their “cooks and servants to kill them”, Reuters reported.&nbsp;</p> <p>Bibi's family and lawyers have since attempted to hide from Pakistani authorities and seek asylum fearing they will be killed.&nbsp;</p> <p>In a video statement Khadim Hussain Rizvi had previously said, “the whole nation should come out in the field to protect the honour of the Prophet […] There is no other option left now.”</p>

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