The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday granted bail to the leader of ultra-right religious group arrested last year after his supporters shut down cities and threatened judges following the acquittal of a Christian woman accused of blasphemy.
Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi and his deputy Pir Afzal Qadri were arrested last year and charged with inciting terrorism and sedition after protesting against the acquittal of Asia Bibi who had spent eight years on death row on blasphemy charges. The two firebrand religious leaders have been granted bail against surety bonds worth Rs 5 million each.
“Today, the Lahore High Court has granted bail to Rizvi and Qadri in the cases of terrorism, sedition and inciting for violence,” TLP lawyer Muhammad Arif Awan told an international news wire.
Asia left for Canada last week after living at an undisclosed location inside Pakistan since her acquittal. Hardliners in the country had rallied against her being allowed to leave and called for her to be killed.
Rizvi’s November arrest led to clashes between police and his supporters in Lahore, wounding five people in violence authorities say was instigated by the TLP leader after he called on his faithful to take to the streets if he was arrested.
Qadri, who had been booked under sedition and terrorism charges, had resigned from the TLP on May 1 citing health issues and, on the court’s earlier directions, issued a public apology for his remarks. The two men are due to be released today (Wednesday).
TLP leaders had threatened the Supreme Court judges who acquitted Asia Bibi, urging their cooks and servants to kill them, and called for the overthrow of the army chief.