Khaleej Times

Husband of acquitted woman seeks asylum

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islamabad — The husband of a Christian woman at the centre of a divisive blasphemy case has pleaded for internatio­nal help to leave the country, saying he feared for his family’s safety.

The request by Asia Bibi’s husband Ashiq Masih came a day after he criticised a government deal with hardliners that left her in legal limbo, and called on authoritie­s to protect her.

Bibi was acquitted by the Supreme Court on Wednesday, triggering large street protests by ultraconse­rvatives who paralysed the country for three days, blocking roads and disrupting traffic.

The government reached a deal on Friday to end the protests by agreeing to a travel ban preventing Bibi from leaving the country, and saying it would not object to the party’s appeal against the verdict. An appeal has now been filed with the court against Bibi’s release.

Masih criticised the government deal, saying it was “wrong”. “I request President Donald Trump to help us to leave (the country), and I request the prime minister of the UK to do their level best to help us, to grant us freedom,” said Masih in a video message, also requesting help from the Canadian prime minister.

Wilson Chowdhry, of the British Pakistani Christian Associatio­n, said that the family was resting its hopes on the US, Britain or Canada to grant them asylum and help them reach a place of safety.

“These nations have the largest Pakistani Christian communitie­s,” Chowdhry said, adding that Masih also wants asylum for some members of the extended family and those who have helped with his wife’s case, one of whom could speak English. “If Asia Bibi leaves the country, every family member, every person associated to her, will be killed,” he said.

Chowdhry said the family’s ini- tial relief at Bibi’s acquittal has turned into anguish. “The daughters are weeping. They still haven’t seen their mother. The family is totally shattered,” he said.

“They absolutely don’t know when they will see their mother. Since (the court decision), with the violence and the protests, it is too dangerous for them to see their mother in jail.”

Masih on Saturday told German Deutsche Welle radio the court had been “very courageous” to acquit his wife, an illiterate mother in her 50s who was accused of blasphemy a decade ago.

“The current situation is very dangerous for us. We have no security and are hiding here and there, frequently changing our location,” he told the German radio station, saying he was worried his wife would be attacked in prison.

The current situation is very dangerous for us. We have no security and are hiding here and there, frequently changing our location

Ashiq Masih, Asia Bibi’s husband

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 ?? Reuters ?? the daughters of Asia Bibi have not seen their mother after the verdict as they live in constant fear. —
Reuters the daughters of Asia Bibi have not seen their mother after the verdict as they live in constant fear. —

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