Govt decides to compensate those affected during protests

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Wednesday decided to compensate those who suffered losses owing to the country-wide protests which took place last week following a Supreme Court verdict acquitting Asia Bibi.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed that an assessment be carried out of the property belonging to citizens that was damaged during the protests and has further asked the Punjab government to prepare a compensation package.

A day earlier, the Interior Ministry briefed PM Imran on the demonstrations led by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and the progress on the crackdown against miscreants.

The Interior Ministry has said that approximately 1,800 people have been arrested for arson, vandalism and torture of ordinary citizens and law enforcement agencies officials.

Religious parties carried out demonstrations last week which ended after an agreement with the government on Friday night. The three-day demonstrations followed a top court verdict acquitting Bibi — a Christian woman who had been sentenced to death on blasphemy charges.