The Pakistani Christian woman Asia Bibi whom the Pakistani Supreme Court had acquitted of the blasphemy charges on Wednesday (31 October) is planning to leave the country as the protests by radical Islamists against her acquittal are mounting, The Hindu has reported.
Asia’s brother James Masih said that she is still waiting for her formal release and is being held at an undisclosed location for security reasons.
After the Pakistani Supreme Court overturned the Asia’s 2010 conviction in the blashphemy matter, radical Islamists blocked roads and burned tyres in protest.
James expressed his apprehension about Asia being safe in Pakistan. “She has no other option and she will leave the country soon,” he said.
Asia has been offered asylum by Spain and France but James would not disclose which country will be her destination for security reasons.
He said that Asia’s husband Ashiq Masih had returned in mid-October from Britain along with their Children and was waiting for Asia to reunite with them.
Meanwhile, Pakistani authorities had to deploy paramilitary troops after over 1,000 protesters blocked a road linking Islamabad to Rawalpindi demanding that Asia be publicly hanged.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday (31 October) had warned the radical Islamist protesters to not“test the patience of the state”.
An Appeal...
Dear Reader,
As you are no doubt aware, Swarajya is a media product that is directly dependent on support from its readers in the form of subscriptions. We do not have the muscle and backing of a large media conglomerate nor are we playing for the large advertisement sweep-stake.
Our business model is you and your subscription. And in challenging times like these, we need your support now more than ever.
We deliver over 10 - 15 high quality articles with expert insights and views. From 7AM in the morning to 10PM late night we operate to ensure you, the reader, get to see what is just right.
Becoming a Patron or a subscriber for as little as Rs 1200/year is the best way you can support our efforts.