New York Times: Pakistan Strikes Deal With Islamist Protesters in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan’s government struck a deal on Monday with leaders of a fundamentalist Islamist protest movement, saying that the country’s law minister would step down in return for an end to demonstrations that had brought violent clashes and paralyzed the Pakistani capital for weeks.
The embattled law minister, Zahid Hamid, whom protesters had accused of blasphemy, resigned as part of negotiations overseen by Pakistan’s military, officials said.
Public anger over the protest’s disruption of Islamabad, the capital, had been growing by the day, and the agreement was widely seen as another in a string of capitulations by the government to religious extremists who command growing popularity in Pakistan.
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WNU Editor: It is a sad day for Pakistan when the state surrenders to extremists. These bigots are not going to stop with just the resignation of the justice minister.
More News On Islamists Celebrating Victory In Pakistan
Pakistan law minister resigns, Islamists celebrate victory -- AP
Pakistani Islamists call off protests over blasphemy claim as govt. backs down -- Reuters
Pakistan minister resigns as officials bow to Islamists' demands -- AFP
Pakistan caves to protest demands by forcing out law minister after days of unrest -- Washington Post
Pakistan Islamists call off protests after minister resigns -- BBC New
Pakistan's ignominious surrender to Islamists -- Deutsche Welle
What were the protests in Pakistan about? -- Aljazeera
