Islamists blockaded roads in major cities for three day’s demanding Bibi’s immediate execution. Photo: AP
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https://scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/2172167/asia-bibi-still-languishing-pakistani-jail-week-after-supreme South Asia
Asia Bibi still languishing in Pakistani jail, a week after Supreme Court overturned death sentence for blasphemy
- Prime Minister Imran Khan agreed to a review of the ruling after ultra-conservative Islamists blockaded major cities demanding her immediate execution
- The case stems from an incident in 2009 when Bibi, a Christian, was castigated for touching a Muslim’s water bowl and allegedly insulting Islam
Bibi has been living on death row since 2010. Photo:AP
One week after the country’s highest court ordered her release, a Pakistani Christian who has spent eight years on death row for blasphemy was still in prison on Wednesday, with no immediate prospect of freedom.
Thousands of Islamists poured onto the streets in protest after Supreme Court judges overturned Asia Bibi’s conviction, in a case that has laid bare the divisions between traditionalists and modernisers in the devoutly Muslim nation.
Ultra-conservative Islamists blockaded major cities to demand her immediate execution, in a three-day stand-off that ended when Prime Minister Imran Khan’s administration agreed to allow a review of the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Critics blasted the climbdown – which came just days after Khan vowed to confront the protesters – as another capitulation to religious conservatives.
The deal has left Bibi in legal limbo – and languishing in jail for a crime of which she has been acquitted.
We have not received orders to release her so far
“Asia Bibi is in Multan jail and has not been released yet. We have not received orders to release her so far,” said Zawar Hussain Warraich, minister for prisons in Punjab province.
“Normally we receive orders in two days after court judgment and if relatives and lawyers of a prisoner are very active, they can bring it even within a day, but as far as Asia Bibi is concerned, it has not happened yet.”
The Supreme Court should issue a directive to send Bibi’s release orders, Warraich said. “We will release her as soon as we get it.”
He denied reports that extra security had been laid on for Bibi, saying “she is already well protected by the jail staff”.
An appeal has been filed with the court against Bibi’s release and the party that headed the protests demanding her execution, Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan, has warned that its hardliners are prepared to take to the streets again.
Blasphemy is an incendiary charge in Pakistan, where Muslims are in the majority and even unsubstantiated allegations of insulting Islam can result in death at the hands of mobs.
The case stems from an incident in 2009 when Bibi was asked to fetch water while out working in the fields. Muslim women labourers objected, saying that she should not touch the water bowl because she was not Muslim, and reportedly a fight erupted.
A local imam then claimed Bibi insulted the Prophet Mohammed – a charge she has consistently denied.
Bibi’s husband Ashiq Mesih has appealed for the family to be granted asylum. Photo: AFP
Bibi’s husband Ashiq Masih has appealed for Britain or the United States to grant the family asylum, while her lawyer has fled to the Netherlands.
Masih said the delay in releasing his wife, a mother of five, was adding to the family’s agony.
“The daughters are weeping. They still haven’t seen their mother. The family is totally shattered,” he said.
Italy said on Tuesday that it is working to help relocate the family, in coordination with other countries.
Bibi’s case has been closely followed in Italy for years, and Pope Francis met earlier this year with her family in a show of solidarity.