Islamabad, Pakistan: Supreme Court of Pakistan has acquitted Aasiya Bibi (Asia Bibi) from blasphemy case.
According to available information, Aasiya Bibi also known as Asia Bibi was allegedly involved in an argument with a group of Muslim women with whom she had been harvesting berries after the other women objected to a non-Muslim touching the bowl in which she fetched water. She was subsequently accused of passing derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Fantastic news. #asiabibi https://t.co/VpIXt7Kwda
— Matthew Scott (@Barristerblog) October 31, 2018
She denied charges but she was arrested and tried and a Sheikhupura judge sentenced her to death in November 2010. Human Rights organizations contested her case in a district court which gave verdict against her. The case was subsequently reached Lahore High Court which dismissed Noreen’s appeal and upheld her death sentence on 16 October 2014.
Let justice be done, though the heavens fall! Kudos to the Supreme court judge who had the courage to hear the case and deliver justice to #AasiaBibi pic.twitter.com/Jm0VahmuXU
— Nafisa Shah (@ShahNafisa) October 31, 2018
Landmark judgement by Supreme Court to acquit #AasiaBibi today.False accusers took half her life away. Now the state must protect all those who stand for the rule of law and justice.We have all been witness to the havoc mobs have wreaked to red lines before.That line must be held
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) October 31, 2018
Human Rights organisations went to Supreme Court of Pakistan and Supreme Court suspended Bibi’s death sentence for the duration of the appeals process.
Supreme Court started hearing her case and announced the decision on October 21, 2018 and acquitted Aasiya Bibi also known as Asia Bibi and Aasia Bibi from blasphemy case and directed that she be released if there is no other case against her.
Security was high alert in Islamabad on Wednesday due to expected announcement of this case because this case has been a high profile case for religious groups in past.
Murder of Salman Taseer
This case took life of a former sitting Governor of Punjab Province Salman Taseer when he was killed by his bodyguard on January 4, 2011at Kohsar Market of Islamabad for supporting the release of Asia Bibi.
Asia Bibi was not American. Clement Shahbaz Bhatti was not American. Salman Taseer was not American. Y’all know for a FACT that I agree with almost NOTHING America does. But Asia Bibi was innocent. Thank you to PAKISTAN for doing the right thing. 🇵🇰
— Jeremy McLellan (@JeremyMcLellan) October 31, 2018
