Islamabad, Nov 24: Pakistani authorities last night arrested a party leader whose followers have shut down major cities demanding stricter application of stringent laws on blasphemy.
Prominent Barelvi cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi's supporters clashed with police in the eastern city of Lahore soon after he was taken away, with at least five people wounded, police said.
Rizvi earlier this month led nationwide protests over the Supreme Court's acquittal and release of Asia Bibi, who had spent eight years on death row on a blasphemy conviction.
He had urged his supporters earlier in the day to take to the streets if he was arrested, and late on Friday night his son said he had been taken away in a raid on his religious school, or madrassa, in Lahore.
"Police raided our madrassa and arrested our revered leader," Saad Rizvi told media persons.
Rizvi leads the Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) party, which earlier this month blocked roads in Pakistan's biggest cities for three days and threatened the Supreme Court judges who acquitted Asia Bibi - urging their cooks and servants to kill them.
The TLP ended the initial protests following negotiations with the government and an agreement to open a review of the court's decision on Bibi.
Bibi and her family are in hiding after her release, and the TLP said any sign of allowing her to leave the country would result in new protests. Her lawyer has fled Pakistan, fearing he would be killed.
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Dear Muslim, Fear Allah, You are accountable to Allah for your action, Don't distroy your own country. Maintain Peace and justice with your non-muslim countrymen and spread the message of islam to them. No space in islam for muscle power or money power. Once again i request you to follow sunnah of Great Prophet (PBUH).
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