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The Pakistani authorities have reached an agreement with a radical Islamist party to end a demonstration against the acquittal of a Christian woman convicted of blasphemy.
Under this agreement, Asia Bibi will not be allowed to leave the country, although the duration of its existence is unclear.
Protesters may also appeal the decision to release her to the Supreme Court.
She was convicted in 2010 of insulting the Prophet Muhammad, but was acquitted earlier this week.
But the decision enraged some in the country with a Muslim majority.
Radicals supporting Pakistan's blasphemy laws have been on the streets since Wednesday's verdict.
Pakistani Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told the BBC: "We had two options: either use force, and when you use force, people can be killed." something that a state should do.We tried to negotiate and take something and leave you something. "
He defended the agreement against allegations that the government capitulated to extremists:
"We must take action against extremism, we must take action against this type of violent protesters and we must find a permanent solution.For the moment, it is not a treatment.C & # 39; is the fight against fires, what we do.Treatment is the real thing and our government is determined to heal. "
He said that the decision to ban Asia Bibi from leaving the country would be taken by a court and added that the government "would take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of Asia Bibi".
What's in the deal?
It was concluded between the government and the Tehreek-i-Labaik (TLP) party, which led the mass protests, local media reported.
Under the agreement, as well as the opening of legal proceedings to list Asia Bibi on a list that would prohibit her leaving Pakistan, the government will also block a petition. revision filed against the verdict.
The agreement also provides that all protesters arrested since the acquittal of Asia Bibi will be released and that any violence against them will be the subject of an investigation.
In return, the TLP is asking its supporters to stop demonstrations and disperse peacefully.
Authorities said earlier that Asia Bibi was due to be released later this week.
Addressing the BBC this week, her lawyer, Saiful Mulook, said she should settle in a western country for her own safety. Several countries offered him asylum.
What was Asia Bibi accused of?
The lawsuit arose out of a dispute between Asia Bibi, Asia Noreen and a group of women in June 2009.
They were picking fruit when a row broke out around a bucket of water. The women said that because she had used a cup, they could no longer touch it because her faith had made her unclean.
Copyright of the image
AFP / Getty Images
There is widespread support for harsh sanctions for blasphemers in Pakistan
Prosecutors said that in the row that followed, the women said that Asia Bibi had to convert to Islam and that she had made offensive remarks about the Prophet Muhammad in response .
She was later beaten at home, during which her accusers confessed to confessing blasphemy. She was arrested after a police investigation.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court acquitted her, claiming that the case was based on weak evidence and that her confession had been delivered in front of a crowd "threatening to kill her".
Why is this case so divisive?
Islam is the national religion of Pakistan and underpins its legal system. Public support for strict blasphemy laws is strong.
Intransigent politicians have often advocated harsh sentences, in part to strengthen their support base.
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Critics argue that laws have often been used to avenge personal conflicts and that convictions are based on thin evidence.
The vast majority of convicts are Muslims or members of the Ahmadi community, but since the 1990s, many Christians have been convicted. They represent only 1.6% of the population.
The Christian community has been the target of numerous attacks in recent years, leaving a large number of people vulnerable to a climate of intolerance.
Since 1990, at least 65 people were reportedly killed in Pakistan on charges of blasphemy.
