Asia Bibi is declared free, Her acquittal was upheld despite petition via hardliners

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Asia Bibi, Pakistan's longest serving and most famous blasphemy victim has finally won her freedom. A three-judge panel has declared her innocent and now no further right of appeal against her acquittal exists.

Islamabad: January 29, 2019. (PCP) In a long drawn out hearing of a devious and infamous petition submitted to Lahore Supreme Court by Qari Muhammed Salaam on behalf of firebrand preacher Khadim Hussain Rizvi which sought to quash the acquittal received by Asia Bibi, a positive result has led to the end of Asia Bibi's long running saga!

Asia Bibi, Pakistan's longest serving and most famous blasphemy victim has finally won her freedom. A three-judge panel has declared her innocent and now no further right of appeal against her acquittal exists. A three-member bench Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa; Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel, heard the review petition that was filed by Qari Muhammad Salaam.

Mehwish Bhatti, who was present at the court said: "I thank God for today, this news will break the hearts of the evil haters in ths world but all people of good conscience across the globe will no doubt be sighing a deep breath of relief.

"I feel like singing and dancing, I just want to praise and worship the Lord our God as Kind David di many years ago.

"Today as in the time of Moses God has come to rescue one of his own!

High security outside the Supreme Court Building

According to The Express Tribune, "Justice Asif Saeed Khosa asked the complainant counsel's to assist in deciding what should be the punishment for those witnesses who made the false statement. The CJP said that under the law, the false witnesses in such cases should be awarded life imprisonment after the summary trial."

Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association, said: "Today is a day of rejoicing, come what may in the aftermath of this decision. Asia Bibi has always been innocent and it is a blight on Pakistan that it took almost ten years to come to this decision to free her.

Her freedom is a massive step in the advancement of equality and justice in Pakistan.

"I am sure years from now her bravery in the face of such malice and her steadfast and resolute faith in Christ despite the pressure to adopt Islam, will become a galvanising cry for change which will one-day topple the deep-set intolerance in Pakistan.

"Asia is an international figure now and can represent not only the Pak-Christian cause but the cause for all persecuted Christians and minorities.

"This woman's sacrifice deserves a noble peace prize and I know soon many key figures across the globe will be challenging for this to happen.

"No humanitarian group can rest on their laurels our work is not complete.

"Over 40 other blasphemy victims reside in Pakistani jails of which close to 50% are known to be Christian - Pakistan's draconian blasphemy laws must be abrogated speedily to prevent this ever happening again!.

Following the decision, people are beginning to holler for Asia Bibi's death and we are very concerned for her safety. She will need to continue to be subjected to security measures, while these extremists fixate on her. She must exit Pakistan as soon as possible! She has already needed to remain under guard, another three months following her acquittal.

Asia Bibi must be able to flee to her family in the safety of their new home. Diplomats have confirmed that Asia's family have been re-located to Canada, now she must be able to join them in freedom. The time has come for them to be together.

 

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"Trial of Pakistani Christian Nation" By Nazir S Bhatti

On demand of our readers, I have decided to release E-Book version of "Trial of Pakistani Christian Nation" on website of PCP which can also be viewed on website of Pakistan Christian Congress www.pakistanchristiancongress.org . You can read chapter wise by clicking tab on left handside of PDF format of E-Book.

nazirbhattipcc@aol.com , pakistanchristianpost@yahoo.com