Timeline

June 2009: Asia Bibi reportedly involved in an argument with a group of Muslim women who accused her of blasphemy. After police investigation, she is arrested under Section 295-C of the law.

November 2010: Bibi is convicted of blasphemy by a Pakistani district court, receiving a sentence of death by hanging in 2010.

January 2011: Punjab Governor Salman Taseer is assassinated by his bodyguard Mumtaz Qadri for publicly defending Asia Bibi and speaking out against misuse of Blasphemy Law.

March 2011: Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, a Christian, is shot dead in Islamabad over his stance on the Blasphemy Law.

October 2014: Lahore High Court rejects Asia Bibi’s appeal and upholds the death sentence. July 2015: Pakistan Supreme Court suspends Bibi’s death sentence and agrees to a full hearing on the case.

February 2016: Mumtaz Qadri is executed, but the ruling judge is forced to leave Pakistan because of extremist threats. April 2017: The Chief Justice of Pakistan Supreme Court declines a request for the early hearing of the case.

October 31, 2018: The Supreme Court acquits Asia Bibi and orders her immediate release from prison.