WASHINGTON- The United Nations has welcomed Pakistan’s Supreme Court decision to acquit Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death on blasphemy charges, after accepting an appeal against her sentence.
Responding to a question at the regular noon briefing in New York, UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq said the world body has a ‘standard policy’ against the imposition of death penalty.
‘In line with that policy, we welcome the decision of Pakistan’s Supreme Court,’ he added without any further comments.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/sc-to-announce-verdict-on-asia-bibis-appeal-against-execution-today/
Asia Bibi was convicted in 2010 after being accused of blasphemy, however, Pakistan’s supreme court acquitted the suspect remarking the prosecution had ‘categorically failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt’; the court had reserved its verdict over the appeal on Oct 8.
The allegations against Bibi date back to June 2009, when she was labouring in a field and a row broke out with some Muslim women who alleged that she committed blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). A case was filed against her by a prayer leader in Katanwala village of Nankana Sahib.
Bibi was convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to death in 2010 by a trial court. She later moved the Lahore High Court against the execution sentence, however, the court had upheld the verdict.
