Blasphemy case: Fake pics show Pak woman abroad
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan information minister Fawad Chaudhry on Monday condemned fake images showing Pope Francis meeting Asia Bibi, the Christian woman at the centre of a political crisis after she was acquitted of blasphemy charges.
The photo is actually of Asia’s daughter from two years ago, Chaudhry said. He added that the fake images had prompted death threats to a politician seen in one photograph, Fazal Khan of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf.
“People can even be killed because of such fake postings,” Chaudhry said. The images were circulated on social media and shared on several local journalists’ groups, and even a police and a media group.
“We are trying to seek cooperation from Twitter and Facebook against such fake news,” Chaudhry said.
Asia, 54, was acquitted of blasphemy charges by the Supreme Court on October 21 after spending eight years on death row. After she was freed from detention last week, the government said Asia is at a secret location in Pakistan for her protection.
She will remain at the secret location till the Supreme Court completes a review of her acquittal. The review was allowed by the government after religious groups launched protests against the acquittal. Prime Minister Imran Khan had warned the groups against using Asia’s plight to further political aims.