Asia Bibi still in Pakistan; reports of her leaving the country 'fake news'

Pakistani authorities on Thursday rejected as “fake news” reports that a Christian woman who was released from a jail a week after the Supreme Court overturned her conviction and death sentence for blasphemy has left for the Netherlands.

Asia Bibi, 47, acquitted in the blasphemy case was released, amid nationwide anger, from the jail in Multan on Wednesday midnight.

It was reported in local media that she was taken to Noor Khan Airbase Rawalpindi, from where she would be shifted to the Netherlands.

“Asia Bibi was released from New Jail for Women Multan (some 350 kilometers from Lahore) on Wednesday midnight. She is taken to Noor Khan Airbase Rawalpindi where a chartered plane will take her to the Netherlands,” 24News reported on Thursday.

Some other news channels also reported the release of Aasia Bibi and her departure for the Netherlands.

However, Foreign Office spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal dismissed reports that the mother of five had left the country.

“There is no truth in reports about Bibi leaving the country -- it is fake news,” he said.

“You are aware of the media furore and speculation about Asia Bibi having left Pakistan. Let me state clearly that Asia Bibi remains at a safe place in Pakistan. I would also request all of you to verify such news before issuing them, in line with standards of objective, impartial journalism to prevent needless sensationalism and controversy,” he said.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry also rejected the reports about her going out of the country.

“It has become a norm to publish fake news for sake of headlines, #AsiaBibi case is sensitive issue it was extremely irresponsible to publish news of her leaving the country without confirmation, I strongly urge section of media to act responsible,” he said.

Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakista of Khadim Hussain Rizvi spokesperson Hafiz Shahbaz Attari issued a statement to media saying, “The Imran Khan government has released Asia Bibi as the Netherlands ambassador in Islamabad reached Multan jail along with the government officials to ensure her release. She is being transported to Netherlands.”

He said a call has been given to the workers who are gathering in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to stop the government to allow Asia leave the country.

The apex court verdict on Bibi prompted immediate anger from the Islamist party that has threatened to paralyse daily life countrywide with street protests if her acquittal is not reversed.

A spokesman for the Punjab government however refused to comment. “The government cannot give any comment on this matter,” a spokesman for the Punjab government told media.

On Wednesday, Italy said it would help Bibi leave the country because her life in danger following charges of blasphemy that put her on death row for eight years.

Her husband had also urged the US president, and the UK and Canada premiers to help her leave the country for her life.

Bibi’s husband Ashiq Masih in a video message had appealed to the world leaders to help Asia leave Pakistan for her safety.

“I request President Donald Trump to help us to leave Pakistan and I also request the prime minister of the UK and Canada to help us. Help us in getting freedom,” said Masih.

In a landmark judgment last week, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar overturned the conviction of Asia Bibi facing execution for blasphemy.

Her acquittal triggered street protests by radical Islamists paralysing Pakistan for three days, blocking roads, torching vehicles, damaging public and private properties and attacking policemen for three days.

However, hours after the killing of the ‘Godfather of Taliban’ Maulana Samiul Haq, the TLP on Friday announced ending sit-ins across the country following reaching a deal with the government on the issue of acquittal of Bibi. As per the agreement, the government will immediately initiate a process to place the name of Bibi on the no-fly list (exit control list).

Bibi was convicted in 2010 after being accused of insulting Islam in a row with her neighbours. She always maintained her innocence, but has spent most of the past eight years in solitary confinement

Police had arrested over 1,000 workers of the TLP mostly from Punjab province but later released almost all of them on the threat of the radicals that they would block roads if the TLP workers were not released.