ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has urged media to act responsibly over the issue of Asia Bibi, saying that it has become a norm to publish fake news for sake of headlines.
In a tweet on Thursday, Fawad Chaudhry said that Asia Bib Case is a sensitive issue and it was extremely irresponsible to publish news of her leaving the Country without confirmation.
“I strongly urge section of media to act responsible,” the information minister said.
It is worth noting that mainstream media including The Express Tribune and BBC Urdu reported that Asia Bibi flew out of Pakistan in the wee hours of Thursday after her release from Multan jail on Wednesday evening.
Separately, an Italian politician and the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani also tweeted, saying “Asia Bibi has left the prison and has been transferred to a safe place! I thank the Pakistani authorities. I look forward meeting her and her family, in the European Parliament as soon as possible.”
#AsiaBibi has left the prison and has been transferred to a safe place! I thank the Pakistani authorities. I look forward meeting her and her family, in the European Parliament as soon as possible.
— Antonio Tajani (@EP_President) November 7, 2018
The Supreme Court of Pakistan on October 31 acquitted Asia Bibi in the Blasphemy Case, sparking the countrywide protests which turned into sit-ins for three consecutive days before an agreement was reached between the government and protesters.
Under the agreement, the government assured the protesters that it wouldn’t object the review petition filed in the Supreme Court against Asia Bibi’s acquittal and take legal initiatives to put her name on Exit Control List (ECL).
Earlier in the day, the Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal also refuted the news of Asia Bibi’s fleeing away to abroad.
In a statement, Dr Faisal said that there is no reality in the news regarding her fleeing away abroad. He said that Asia Bibi is still in Pakistan.
ترجمان دفتر خارجہ نے آسیہ بی بی کے بیرون ملک چلے جانے کی خبروں کی تر دید کر دی
آسیہ بی بی پاکستان میں ہیں : ترجمان دفتر خارجہآسیہ بی بی کے بیرون ملک جانے سے متعلق خبریں گر دش میں تھیں pic.twitter.com/e63JpE3G33
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) November 8, 2018
