Islamabad, Nov. 20: The Pakistan President, Mr Asif Ali Zardari, has stayed the execution of a Christian woman who was sentenced to death on charges of blasphemy.
The woman, Ms Aasia Bibi, was given death sentence by an additional session judge in Nankana Sahib district a week ago on charges of committing blasphemy under the Pakistan Penal Code. A religious leader of the local mosque, Mr Qari Saleem, had lodged an FIR against Ms Aasia Bibi for allegedly passing derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammed. The judge also imposed a fine of `3,00,000 on her. Mr Zardari has directed the federal minister for minorities, Mr Shahbaz Bhatti, to submit a report within three days.
Mr S.K. Shahid, lawyer for the accused, had already challenged the verdict in the Lahore High Court. The case has drawn huge attention in the media, and there is deep sympathy for Ms Aasia Bibi.
Several NGO’s have called for repealing the blasphemy law because it was “being used by illiterate masses in rural areas to hoodwink the minorities”. It is noteworthy that only around three per cent of Pakistan’s population of 167 million is estimated to be non-Muslim.