Pakistan acquits Christian facing death for blasphemy
Imran blasts hardliners and appeals for calm after extremists call for murder of judges
Pakistan’s top court yesterday acquitted a Christian woman who was sentenced to death under the country’s controversial blasphemy law, a landmark ruling that sparked protests by Islamists and raised fears of violence.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar announced the verdict to a packed courtroom and ordered the release of Asia Bibi, who has been on death row since 2010. The Catholic mother of five has been held at an undisclosed location for security reasons and is expected to leave the country for her safety.
The verdict could set up a showdown between authorities and extremists, who held protests and blocked the road between Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Two officials have already been assassinated in connection with the case.
Prime Minister Imran Khan hit out at hardliners and appealed for calm after extremists called for the country’s Supreme Court justices to be murdered. “They are inciting you for their own political gain, you should not get trapped by them for the sake of the country, they are doing no service to Islam,” Khan said in a televised broadcast.
The charges against Bibi date back to a hot day in 2009 when she went to get water for her and her fellow farmworkers. Two Muslim women refused to drink from a container used by a Christian. A few days later, a mob accused her of blasphemy.
Many Pakistani Christians shed tears of joy after the acquittal of Asia Bibi, who spent eight years in detention on blasphemy charges.
“I was astounded when I saw news flashing on TV that Asia had been found innocent and freed,” Kinza Masih, a young Christian girl and resident of Islamabad, told Gulf News.
“It seemed almost impossible that she would be released,” she added. “My mother cried after hearing the news. This is a moment of pure joy for us even though we did not know Asia or her family personally.”
Pakistan’s Christian community leaders have welcomed the Supreme Court decision, saying they are now confident of justice from the country’s courts.
“The news is no less than a miracle for the Christian community,” said Church of Pakistan President Bishop Retired Reverend Humphrey Sarfaraz Peters.
Hailing the verdict and the courageous decision of the court, Peters told Gulf News that “this decision announced after a long trial on the basis of credible evidence should be respected by all citizens.”
Spirit of tolerance
Even if it may not acceptable to some, he said, “People should demonstrate a spirit of tolerance and rise above discrimination, which Pakistan critically needs to overcome challenges and prosper.”
Peters also urged the implementation of a 2014 judgement on minorities’ rights by former Chief Justice Tassaduq Jillani, when the apex court asked the government to form a national council for minorities to safeguard their rights.
The Church of Pakistan’s Bishop of Faisalabad John Samuel said, “On this historic day, “we should not forget the two slain government officials, Punjab Governor Salman Taseer and Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti who were killed for speaking out in support of Asia Bibi.”