Pakistan promises no change to blasphemy laws in deal with hardline Islamists
Pakistan's infamous blasphemy laws will not be changed after a deal between government and hardline Islamists on Wednesday afternoon.
The settlement promised that prisoners convicted of blasphemy, which carries the death penalty in Pakistan, will be shown no leniency. The negotiation marked the end of a major stand-off between the government and thousands of protesters who had gathered in central Islamabad.
The protest's leaders hailed the talks a "success" and agreed to disband the sit-in, which had reached its fourth day. The demonstration was held in protest at the execution of Mumtaz Qadri in late February....