Prime Minister Khan addressed the nation through a video message and his address was solely focused on the Asia Bibi verdict.
Bibi, a 47-year-old mother of four, who was on a death row for eight years for blasphemy, was acquitted by the apex court in a landmark verdict which evoked protests, death threats from hardline groups and cheers from human rights advocates.I ask these elements (protestors) to avoid confronting the State. But if they opted to do so, the State will fulfill its responsibilities,”.We will protect life and property of people…We will not let them (protestors) involve in vandalism or close down the roads,” he said, referring to protestors blocking a highway linking the capital Islamabad with garrison city of Rawalpindi.Many parts of Karachi were paralysed due to the protests and most of the main roads were shut down by the protesters who are burning tyres and pelting stones at vehicles.
Bibi was accused of committing blasphemy in 2009.
She was convicted by the trial court in 2010 after being accused of insulting Islam in a row with her neighbours. Her death sentence was maintained by the Lahore High Court in 2014.
She was convicted by the trial court in 2010 after being accused of insulting Islam in a row with her neighbours. Her death sentence was maintained by the Lahore High Court in 2014.
She always maintained her innocence, but has spent most of the past eight years in solitary confinement.
She appealed against the conviction in the Supreme Court, which for the first time heard the case in July 2015.
Bibi was the first woman who was given death sentence under the blasphemy laws. According to officials, Bibi might be flown out of Pakistan due to threat to her life.
