Protests as woman is freed in blasphemy case

PAKISTAN’S Supreme Court yesterday freed a Christian woman from a death sentence for blasphemy against Islam and overturned her conviction, sparking angry protests and death threats from an ultra-religious party and cheers from human rights advocates.

Asia Bibi, a mother of four, had been living on death row since 2010, when she became the first woman to be sentenced to death by hanging under Pakistan’s draconian blasphemy laws, which critics say are too harsh and often misused.

She was condemned for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Islam after neighbours objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not Muslim.

Bibi has always denied blasphemy.

The case outraged Christians worldwide and has been a source of division within Pakistan, where two politicians who sought to help Bibi were assassinated.

Chief Justice Saqib Nasir, who headed a special three-person bench set up for the appeal, cited the Qur’an in his ruling, writing “Tolerance is the basic principle of Islam” and noting the religion condemns injustice and oppression.

Supporters of Islamist political party Tehreek-e-Labaik (TLP), founded to support blasphemy laws, immediately condemned the ruling and blocked roads in major cities, pelting police with stones in Lahore.

The TLP’s leadership called for the death of Nasif, the chief justice, and the two other judges on the panel.

“The patron in chief of TLP, Muhammad Afzal Qadri, has issued the edict that says the chief justice and all those who ordered the release of Asia deserve death,” said party spokesman Ejaz Ashrafi.

The party also called for the ousting of the government of new Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The TLP was founded out of a movement supporting a bodyguard who assassinated Lahore provincial governor Salman Taseer for advocating for Bibi in 2011. Federal minister for minorities Shahbaz Bhatti was also killed after calling for her release.

Bibi’s lawyer yesterday called the court ruling “great news” for Pakistan.

“Asia Bibi has finally been served justice,” said lawyer Saiful Mulook.

“Pakistan’s Supreme Court must be appreciated that it upheld the law of the land and didn’t succumb to any pressure.”

Street protests and blockades of major roads were spreading by midafternoon, paralysing parts of Islamabad, Lahore and other cities. Some schools in Islamabad sent students home early and long lines of cars formed at fuel stations as residents worried about prolonged protests.

Previously, TLP staged a crippling blockade of Islamabad after small changes to a religious oath, which it claims was tantamount to blasphemy.

Seven people were killed and more than 200 wounded in clashes with the police.