Pakistan: Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy charges released from jail, her whereabouts unknown
A Christian woman who was convicted of blasphemy and acquitted by Pakistan's Supreme Court last week, has been released from a jail in Multan and taken to Noor Khan Airbase, Rawalpindi. However, there is still confusion about her whereabout in local and international media.
While local media reported that Asia Bibi will be taken to Noor Khan Airbase, Rawalpindi, from where a chartered plane would take her to the Netherlands, her lawyer, who fled the country soon after a favourable judgement told AFP that he was not sure of her whereabouts. "I have been told that she is on a plane but nobody knows where she will land," lawyer Saif-ul-Malook said in a message sent to the international news agency.
Meanwhile, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal denied reports that Asia Bibi had left Pakistan, saying the recently acquitted Christian woman was still in the country, a report in Dawn said.
APunjab government spokesperson refused to comment on the matter.
Asia Bibi, a 47-year-old mother of four, was convicted in 2010 after being accused of insulting Islam in a row with her neighbours. She always maintained her innocence, but has spent most of the past eight years in solitary confinement.
Earlier, Italy had said that it was working to help Asia Bibi leave Pakistan, amid warning from the woman's husband that her life was in danger. Her husband, Ashiq Masih, had also urged US President Donald Trump, and the UK and Canada premiers to help her leave Pakistan.
Tehreek-i-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) spokesperson Hafiz Shahbaz Attari, in a statement, said, "The Imran Khan government has released Asia Bibi as the Netherlands Ambassador in Islamabad reached Multan jail along with government officials to ensure her release. She is being transported to the Netherlands."
He said the party workers who are gathering in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been asked to stop the government from allowing Asia Bibi from leaving the country.
The Pakistan Supreme Court's landmark verdict acquitting Asia Bibi of blasphemy charges had sparked countrywide protests and death threats from hardline groups. Protestors led by Tehreek-i-Labaik Pakistan and other groups had blocked major highways and roads in different parts of the country.
However, the TLP later called off its agitation following an agreement with the government that assured initiation of a legal process to place the woman on the exit control list that will prevent her from flying abroad.
It was also agreed upon that the government would also not oppose a review petition filed against the Supreme Court's judgement in the Asia Bibi blasphemy case.
(With inputs from agencies)
