The countrywide protests over the alleged intention of the government to amend the blasphemy law should indicate to the government that any intended amendment would raise a storm of protest, because people would not tolerate it. The unanimity with which the Tehrike-e-Namoos-i-Risalat closed down the markets showed that the people of Pakistan would not tolerate the freeing of anyone convicted of blasphemy, and the issue was not one on which there could be any compromise. As Muharram comes to an end, it will be followed by Rabiul Awwal, and thus by Eid Milad. That will be an occasion for further highlighting of the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), which took place on Friday at the Hurmat-e-Rasool conferences which were held following the strike call. One of the aspects that this Eid Milad would see is how the government handles the blasphemy issue, and there may be further protests. One thing that the government must keep in mind after Friday is the deep reverence in which Muslims hold the Holy Prophet (PBUH), which makes the freeing of blasphemy convicts impossible on a presidential pardon, as was also shown by the condemnation of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, who has been taking a personal interest in the matter. The strike also shows that the government needs to be wary of the sentiments of the shopkeeper class, which has several issues, including inflation, and rising utility prices, to make it angry with the government. This class has traditionally been conservative, and thus inclined to look with disfavour on the PPP, which it sees as too liberal. Now that the PPP is also seen as pro-American, and thus an accomplice in the USAs war on terror, that feeling is intensified. The government must not think of releasing any blasphemy convict, especially at a time when it is gasping for survival, having lost the JUI(F) and the MQM. It might make a virtue out of this necessity by not attempting to pass any blasphemy legislation, and must not provide further ammunition to those who oppose it and condemn its policies. It must also not think that the blasphemy issue is merely one of law and order, but must realize that it is very basic. It should also realize that the failure of the government to deal with the blasphemy of the Danish cartoons has caused the people to be extremely wary about the blasphemy issue, and it is time that a proactive stance was taken on it. Otherwise, if people move to the next stage of protest, from strikes to processions, the government may find that it is not in a position to stem the tide. A government in trouble should remember that its ability to act is limited, and it should not do anything stupid.