PAKISTAN SUPREME COURT ACQUITS CHRISTIAN WOMAN OF BLASPHEMY
ISLAMABAD— Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Wednesday freed a Christian woman from a death sentence for blasphemy against Islam and overturned her conviction.
Asia Bibi, a mother of four, has been living on death row since 2010 when she became the first woman to be sentenced to death by hanging.
Dispute with neighbors
She was condemned for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Islam after neighbors objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not Muslim.
Bibi has always denied blasphemy but the case outraged Christians worldwide and divided Pakistan, where two politicians who sought to help Bibi were assassinated.
Basic principle
Chief Justice Saqib Nasir, who headed a special three-person bench set up for the appeal, cited the Koran 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) called for the death of Nasir and two other judges.
Decision hailed
Bibi’s lawyer hailed the court ruling as “great news” for Pakistan.
“Asia Bibi has finally been served justice,” lawyer Saiful Mulook told Reuters. “Pakistan’s Supreme Court must be appreciated that it upheld the law of the land and didn’t succumb to any pressure.”