The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday (October 31, 2018) acquitted Asia Bibi – a Christian female accused of committing blasphemy in 2009 – after the prosecution failed to produce any evidence against her.
The judgement was announced by a three-member bench of the Supreme Court which included Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel.
In its 56-page judgement, the bench found Asia Bibi innocent of blasphemy charges; therefore, overturned the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) judgement.
It is worth mentioning here that earlier a Trial Court in November 2010 and then the LHC in October 2014 awarded death penalty to Asia Bibi in response to a petition filed by Qari Abdul Salam, accusing Asia Bibi of making derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) during a quarrel wither her Muslim neighbors in June 2009.
Asia Bibi filed an appeal against her death sentence in the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2015, which initially suspended the implementation of her death sentence and then today acquitted her of blasphemy charges.
Supreme Court of Pakistan’s judgement in Asia Bibi Blasphemy Case
Supreme Court detailed judg… by on Scribd
Meanwhile, protests have erupted across Pakistan against the Supreme Court’s judgement and enraged people belonging to Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) – a religious-political party – blocked roads and paralyzed the routine life.
In the wake of such situation, the Home Ministry Punjab has issued a notification, imposing article 144 in Punjab till November 10. The imposition includes ban on rallies, public gatherings, show of ammu and loud speaker usage.
In the meantime, there are rumors surfacing in Islamabad that Asia Bibi may soon leave Pakistan and seek asylum in some other Country as a lot of Countries had offered Asia Bibi asylum and now after her acquittal, such development are not unlikely.
