Asia Bibi: The Pakistani government prevents the Christian woman from leaving her country after giving in to extremist Islamists

The Pakistani government has been accused of giving in to extremist Islamists by agreeing to prevent a Christian woman from leaving the country after acquitting her for blasphemy.

Under the terms of Friday night's deal, Prime Minister Imran Khan's administration has announced that it will take legal action to place Asia Bibi on the Exit Check List (ECL).

He also decided not to oppose a request for a review of the Supreme Court's decision to release the mother of five, sentenced to death since 2010.

In return, the Pakistani party Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) apologized for any damage caused during three days of demonstrations nationwide and called on its supporters to disperse.

The transaction has been described by English-language Dawn The newspaper called it "another surrender" and activists said that listing Ms. Bibi on the list was "as if she was signing her death warrant".

"I'm not surprised that Imran Khan's regime has yielded to extremists," said Wilson Chowdhry, president of the British Pakistani Christian Association.

"Asia Bibi and all her family need an immediate asylum. She and her family have suffered enough. It just needs a country ready to free itself from the bureaucracy.

"Whenever she stays in Pakistan, Asia Bibi remains a lightning rod for radical extremists."

Ms. Bibi, a mother of five, is still detained in an undisclosed detention center and her family is hiding for her own safety.

His lawyer, Saif Mulook, reportedly fled Pakistan, fearing for his life. "I have to stay alive because I still have to fight the legal battle for Asia Bibi," said Mulook.

Ms. Bibi was arrested in 2009 and accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad as a result of an argument with two other farm workers who refused to drink in a cup used by a Christian.

His acquittal led the Islamist rulers to demand the death of the judges who made the decision and the dismissal of the government.

Prime Minister Imran Khan initially defended the decision of the Supreme Court and pledged to "take strict measures against offenders".

During the three days of protests, the TLP blocked roads in major cities, including Karachi, the eastern city of Lahore and the capital Islamabad.

Many schools have been closed and mobile networks in some areas have been suspended.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry described the closing agreement as "just another step in the fight against fires."

"We must take action against extremism," he told the BBC. "We have to find a permanent solution. Our government is committed to healing.

Tensions in the country worsened on Friday when prominent religious Maulana Samiul Haq, described as "the father of the Taliban," was stabbed to death in his bedroom in Rawalpindi.

Additional reports by AP