Pakistan Frees Christian Woman Convicted In Blasphemy Case

Asma Jahangir, a human rights activist and President of Supreme Court Bar Association, said that the blasphemy laws are being misused in the country.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Eurasia Review
By KUNA | November 22, 2010

Pakistan released the Christian woman who was convicted in a blasphemy case and sentenced to death by a district court.

President Asif Ali Zardari accepted the clemency plea of Aasia Bibi and she has been released, official sources told KUNA.

They said she was transferred to undisclosed location.

Aasia Bibi, 45, was given the death sentence by a judge in Nankana Sahib district of eastern Punjab province on November 9.

A local cleric, Qari Saleem, lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against her for allegedly passing derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammad peace be upon him.


However, Aasia has rejected the accusation.

The case of Aasia has renewed controversy over blasphemy law in Pakistan with civil society groups and minorities calling it an unjust law.

Local reports on Saturday said that the next session of National Assembly will present "a motion for the review of the anti-blasphemy law."

Asma Jahangir, a human rights activist and President of Supreme Court Bar Association, said that the blasphemy laws are being misused in the country.

She said that the death penalty should be abolished from the country and that such cases should be heard by the High Court.

  -- The Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) was founded according to an Amiri Decree which was issued on 6th October 1979.



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