Protests all over the country causing loss of Rs 150bn to economy
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KARACHI: Owing the protest all over the country, the country’s economy suffered a loss of Rs 150 billion as the economic activities are at standstill for the last three days after Supreme Court acquitted Asia Bibi in the blasphemy case.
The protests being largely led by the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan party have spread uncertainty leading to the shutting down of business and trade activities across the country.
Business activities at the ports have also closed and the traders would have to pay billions in damages.
Fuel shortage was also lingering across the country as the supplies have been stopped for the last three days including Karachi and Lahore.
The activities in the vegetable markets have come down a half for the last three days, while the supplies of medicines have also disturbed due to the closure of medicine markets.
On the other hand, the ongoing protests against the Supreme Court (SC) verdict in Asia Bibi case have badly affected the timings of trains across the country.
The train service between Lahore and Faisalabad has been suspended while scheduled departure of Jaffar Express from Peshawar to Quetta has also been canceled.
Meanwhile, Allama Iqbal, Karakoram, Khushaal, Awaam, Karachi and Pakistan Expresses faced delay due to lack of passengers.
Moreover, routes of several trains have also been changed in the wake of security concerns.
Officials said talks with the protesters were ongoing ahead of nationwide protests set to kick off after Friday prayers — the holiest day of the Islamic week and a time when the size of demonstrations can often swell.
On October 31, Supreme Court (SC) had acquitted Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who was facing death sentence for blasphemy, and ordered to release her on immediate basis.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel and Justice Asif Saeed Khosa heard the case during which, Asia’s appeal against her execution was approved.
Following the decision, the protesters took to the streets and blocked main roads in different cities causing gridlock and school closures in key hubs like Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi.
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