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| Pakistan Islamist protesters end four-day blasphemy protest | Pakistan Islamist protesters end four-day blasphemy protest |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Hard-line Islamist protesters who overran a security zone in Pakistan's capital dispersed after assurances the government had no plans to amend the blasphemy law, a minister says. | Hard-line Islamist protesters who overran a security zone in Pakistan's capital dispersed after assurances the government had no plans to amend the blasphemy law, a minister says. |
| Khawaja Saad Rafique took part in talks with religious leaders to end the four-day demonstration in Islamabad. | Khawaja Saad Rafique took part in talks with religious leaders to end the four-day demonstration in Islamabad. |
| The riots began after the execution of a police guard who killed a politician for advocating blasphemy law reform. | The riots began after the execution of a police guard who killed a politician for advocating blasphemy law reform. |
| There had been a threat to clear the thousands of protesters by force. | There had been a threat to clear the thousands of protesters by force. |
| They had been calling for the immediate execution of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman convicted of blasphemy. | They had been calling for the immediate execution of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman convicted of blasphemy. |
| Critics say Pakistan's blasphemy laws, which allow the death penalty to be imposed in some cases, are often misused to oppress religious minorities. | Critics say Pakistan's blasphemy laws, which allow the death penalty to be imposed in some cases, are often misused to oppress religious minorities. |
| Ms Bibi's case was championed by moderate Punjab governor Salman Taseer before he was shot dead by police guard Mumtaz Qadri in 2011. | Ms Bibi's case was championed by moderate Punjab governor Salman Taseer before he was shot dead by police guard Mumtaz Qadri in 2011. |
| Qadri's supporters say he is a hero and should be considered a martyr. | Qadri's supporters say he is a hero and should be considered a martyr. |
| Mr Saad Rafique, the railway minister who was involved in negotiations, said an understanding was reached over a number of issues. | Mr Saad Rafique, the railway minister who was involved in negotiations, said an understanding was reached over a number of issues. |
| He said there were verbal clarifications that the government did not intend to offer any extraordinary concessions to blasphemy convicts. | He said there were verbal clarifications that the government did not intend to offer any extraordinary concessions to blasphemy convicts. |
| The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says the clerics were also told to submit their proposals for the imposition of Sharia, another of their demands, with the ministry of religious affairs. | The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says the clerics were also told to submit their proposals for the imposition of Sharia, another of their demands, with the ministry of religious affairs. |
| Our correspondent says some 600 troops and around 7,000 police and paramilitary personnel had been deployed at the government's request in Islamabad's Red Zone where government buildings are located. | |
| Over the four days the number of demonstrators diminished from at least 10,000 to about 1,000. | Over the four days the number of demonstrators diminished from at least 10,000 to about 1,000. |
| Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said more than 1,000 people had also been arrested - and only those found to be involved in any violence would be charged. | Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said more than 1,000 people had also been arrested - and only those found to be involved in any violence would be charged. |
| "We will release them gradually after checking details of their offences," he said. | "We will release them gradually after checking details of their offences," he said. |
| The protests in the capital have once again highlighted Pakistan's deep divisions over its battle with extremism. | The protests in the capital have once again highlighted Pakistan's deep divisions over its battle with extremism. |