Pakistani Christians hope for Asia Bibi's acquittal

Mother of five accused of blasphemy could have her death sentence overturned in October.

Lahore:  Catholic Church officials are hopeful that Pakistan's Supreme Court will overturn a death sentence for blasphemy that was given to Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of five.

"We are very hopeful that she will be freed," said Archbishop Sebastian Shah of Lahore about Bibi who was accused of blasphemy in 2009 after drinking water meant for her Muslim colleagues.

Before being sent to prison Bibi was gang raped over the blasphemy allegations and her children were sexually molested, said the British Pakistani Christian Association.

In 2010, Bibi was sentenced to death but in July this year, Pakistan's top court ordered a halt to her execution. Her appeal will now be heard during the second week of October.

Muslim lawyer Saif-ul-Malook took up the case after a Christian lawyer lost the case earlier in the High Court.

"Many judges did not know him and because he rarely practiced, this caused more harm," said Saif-ul-Malook who filed the application for appeal to the chief justice of Pakistan.

"I have high hopes that she will be released. I have been threatened as well but I knew what I was jumping into," he said.

In April, hundreds of supporters of the Islamist group Pakistan Sunni Tehreek staged rallies calling for Bibi's execution and the deaths of other blasphemers.

Father Joseph Louis former executive secretary Caritas Pakistan Lahore says it is difficult to predict the outcome of the appeal.

"The rulers are afraid of fanatics and only want to escape any blame. They don't care for the innocent. We can only pray and ask for the Holy Spirit to convinces the judges," Father Louis said.

Tahir Chaudhry, President of Pakistan Minority Alliance, told ucanews.com that there would be enormous pressure on the judiciary from religious hardliners but he hoped that the apex court would order Bibi's acquittal.

Franciscan Father Jamil Albert, a human rights activist, expressed disenchantment with Pakistan's justice system.

"Our faith gives us hope for the poor Christian woman but I have reservations on the laws and methods of delivering justice," said Father Albert.

"The constitution guarantees equal rights for everybody but its not implemented and impoverished segments like Christians continue to suffer," he said.

Pakistan's controversial blasphemy law has drawn international condemnation as well as criticism within Pakistan.

Former Punjab Gov. Salman Taseer and minority affairs minister Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic, were both assassinated after they spoke out against the misuse of the blasphemy law and called for reforms after Bibi was sentenced to death.

Source: UCAN