Protests in Pakistan: "Pakistani" army put to the test before massive blasphemy protests

ISLAMABAD: The powerful Pakistani army warned on Friday that its patience had been severely tested after being threatened by Islamist extremists enraged by the acquittal of a Christian woman for blasphemy as the country turned its back. was preparing for new mbad demonstrations.

Spokesman Asif Ghafoor said that the tolerance of the armed forces had been raised to its "threshold" after the extremists had called for mutiny earlier this week in response to the Supreme Court's rejection of charges of blasphemy against Asia Bibi – putting an end to its eight-year ordeal on death row.

Mobile services in major cities in Pakistan were halted as religious parties were ready to hold another day of protests against the Supreme Court decision.

"We tolerate the remarks against us, but measures can be taken in accordance with the law and the constitution," the spokesman told the media.

"Do not force us to take action," he added.

Blasphemy is an extremely inflammatory charge in Pakistan's Muslim majority, where even unproven allegations of insulting Islam and its Prophet Muhammad can cause death by militiamen.

The protests are largely led by Pakistan's Tehreek-e-Labaik, known for its resolute stance on blasphemy issues.

Officials said that talks with protesters were continuing before the national protests that were to begin after Friday prayers – the most sacred day of the Islamic week and a time when the size of protests can often grow.

Several traditional religious parties were also to organize separate demonstrations in the big cities following prayers.

Since Wednesday's verdict, TLP has organized sit-ins in cities across the country with supporters blocking highways, causing traffic jams and school closings in key centers such as Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi.

TLP, founded in 2015, blocked the capital Islamabad for several weeks last year, calling for stricter enforcement of the controversial blasphemy laws in Pakistan.

This demonstration forced the federal minister of law to resign and allowed the group to raise more than 2.23 million votes in the July 25 general election, which badysts have called an increase "surprisingly" fast.

Protests come after Prime Minister Imran Khan firmly reprimanded the TLP in a televised speech following the ruling, saying the government would not tolerate violent protests.

The former cricketer left a few hours after the state visit speech in China, where he will likely seek financial badistance from Beijing to bolster the deterioration of his finances.