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Blasphemy convict Aasia Bibi tortured in jail: Sources
Warden of Sheikhupura jail alleges certain prohibited items were found in her cell.
The daughters of Asia Bibi with an image of their mother, standing outside their residence in Sheikhupura on November 13, 2010. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
LAHORE:
Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death on charges of committing blasphemy, was allegedly tortured by a staffer of Sheikhupura jail, sources familiar with the matter told The Express Tribune.
Aasia Bibi, who has been the subject of much controversy, has been detained in a special cell in Sheikhupura jail due to severe security threats.
According to sources, the warden of the jail, identified as Khadeeja, “tortured” Aasia Bibi after alleging that certain prohibited items were found in her cell.
They said that other staff members who were present during the incident acted as silent spectators.
Despite having knowledge of the incident, Deputy Superintendent of Sheikhupura Jail Ghafoor Anjum has not taken any action against the staffer who was responsible for the incident. However, Superintendent Sheikh Khalid Pervaiz later suspended Khadeeja, and an inquiry into the incident has been initiated, sources added.
An intelligence agency has also sent a report regarding the incident to its provincial headquarters after recording Aasia Bibi’s statement.
In its report, the agency stated that the episode happened due to the negligence of the jail administration and feared that the matter might go out of hand.
Sentenced to death
In 2010, Aasia Bibi, a resident of Nankana Sahib in Punjab, was sentenced to death by a Sessions Court following an incident in which an altercation took place between her and her co-workers over the issue of fetching water from the fields.
Her lawyer filed an appeal, requesting a pardon from the Office of the President. President Asif Ali Zardari had asked for a review of the facts of the case. However, on November 29, 2010 Khawaja Sharif, the then chief justice of the Lahore High Court, had issued an interim order ruling that while the matter is pending before it, the president could not issue a pardon for Aasia Bibi.
The case has received worldwide attention, with Pope Benedict XVI and leaders from around the world urging that the Christian mother of five be freed.
Family in hiding
In 2010, Aasia Bibi’s husband Ashiq Masih along with the couple’s children went into hiding in an undisclosed Christian enclave.
Masih is convinced that his family has been targeted for death at the behest of radical Islamic groups. Asked about the events which gave rise to his wife’s death sentence he said, “She was picking berries with other women when she was sent to get water. One of the women refused to drink the water after my wife dipped her cup into the bucket. This woman said it was contaminated because it was touched by a Christian.”
According to Masih, all the women began taunting his wife and shouting insults against her mother and their children.
Aasia just repeated the same insults back at them, he said. “The name of the holy prophet (PBUH) never came up. Five days later, the local cleric came to our house, followed by an angry mob, and dragged my wife away,” he said, recalling the incident that took place in June 2009. They beat her, ripped off her clothes and accused her of insulting the prophet (PBUH), he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2011.
Reader Comments (89)
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The worst shape of humanity is being exhibited in Aasia Bibi’s matter. Why our Prophet (SAWW)’s name (Nauzubillah) so ordinary for those fake religious clerics that they can use it for th satisfaction of their ill-minded intentions , why a mullah has got this right to charge any one and anywhere with the Blasphemy Law..??Recommend
She gets tortured and Salman Taseer’s killer’s death sentence is commuted??????
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islam is a religion of peace.
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Cowards! All cowards!
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A nice way to show bravery by these shers;picking up on a meek,poor and anguished woman,and show their bravery on her.A goat is probably braver than these lions
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ridiculous….. but who knows whether she is innocent or not
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torturing a women, wow so manly…..
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@Hyder Abbas:
You are wrong. The worst is being exhibited by Americans on Dr.Afia Siddiqui. Correct your knowledge,
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“Five days later, the local cleric came to our house, followed by an angry mob, and dragged my wife away,” he said, recalling the incident that took place in June 2009. They beat her, ripped off her clothes and accused her of insulting the prophet (PBUH), he added.”
Welcome back to the dark ages.
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@Orient Knave:
innocent of what crime? Blasphemy? How do you define blasphemy? How do you ascertain whether she said something or not? Through evidence given by clearly partial and religiously intolerant mob against the evidence from her husband that she didn’t mention the Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w) name? This decision is as flawed as our interpretation of islam.
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@Orient Knave: Regardless of whether she is ‘innocent’ or not, the punishment is out of all proportion with the crime. I believe mercy is a higher concept in Islam than the punishment of so-called ‘blasphemers’. This law needs to be reviewed at once and drastically amended.
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@Orient Knave:
well, only a court case can determine that. so she should be given a fair trial, which we all know cannot happen in this sick country. she is targeted for murder, even if she’s actually acquitted. i am so ashamed of this country and its people.
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Its better to kill her rather torture her and keep her away from her family & children. Just imagine what would going on in the minds of her & family. & What would be going in the minds of the minorities? The killers are heroes in our country. Am not a sunni and i request all Sane Minded Pakistani
s to treat us as equals.s as you people are.The support to Qadri & the killings of minorities is no less intimidating to us. Where do we go & what do we do? Even the constitution is against us. Remember, we are also Pakistani
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@Adnan:
you are 100% right, these so called human champs silent over Americans cruelty and crying over blasphemy law, a law which was passed by national assembly. So, they are challenging the state. if they have any issue they can contact to court over it.
And do they know, still no person get punished over the blasphemy law.
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Same old BS about some paranoid muslims being insulted because someone said something to the Prophet(s). Like he(s) would have cared or bothered with such things. Sheesh. And making this poor woman’s life miserable is just horrible. There is something wrong with the minds of the people in Pakistan. @adnan – im sorry but Dr. Aafia was mistreated abroad. Bring her up after you’ve cleared the thousands of women stuck in our own jails who are mistreated/ tortured and the story never gets out.
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“File picture dated 8 November 2010 shows Salmaan Taseer with Aasia Bibi during his visit to a prison in Sheikhupura. PHOTO: EPA”
That’s the title to the picture above this article.
My eyesight has become so poor that I cant see Salmaan Taseer anywhere!
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What you sow so shall you … i am sure everyone knows the latter part. We used to glorify the so called warriors of religion and their killings in the name of God (any body remembers the PTV drama on Afghan mercenaries (by then the Mujaheddin)
This is going to take a lot of blood ,blood and blood (sweat and tears excluded) to pay the price of our ignorance and short shortsightedness (since it was all on someone else soil).
….and no i am no Indian.
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@Adnan:
That is a matter of opinion.
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sad just, so sad.
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@call me crazy:
Is this peace for you?
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INJUSTICE will WIN & Justice will die :(((( BUT Still we are proud Muslim n Pakistani :@@@
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pity the nation… these mullahs r bringing a bad name 2 the lofty principles of islam. and by the way@ adnan, dr.afia z an american citizen and our laws dont apply there. dont confuse both cases .Recommend
@Adnan: Bhai, you must go a step ahead of the Americans. Torture her daily, kill all her children to show superiority of Pakistan & Islam
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There’s injustice everywhere in this country all on the name of Islam which is religion of peace.Recommend
Pakistan inherited this torture from so-called champions of humanity “the Great Britain”. Torture in jails is a common phenomina. It is quite possible that this has nothing to do with this woman’s religion and crime.
So, do not be narrow-minded and jump to conclusions. This is a common and widespread problem and should not be focused as an isolated incident.
There should be reform on nation-wide level.
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well if she says she didnt commit the crime then they should let her go and if she insists on doing it then the punishment shall be the same.
anyways in the pic holded by her daughters she looks like modern pakistaniRecommend
Islam is a religion of peace? Certainly not the one that is prevalent in Pakistan.
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So What,,,,,,,, There are lot of peoples (Most of them are innocent) are being tortured daily in jails but never highlight as a front line story like this.
Please Please Please Don’t Provoked the emotions on such cases and highlight core issues like poverty, jobs, inflation etc
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Given the current barbarian and poisonous atmosphere in Pakistan, she should consider herself lucky to be alive still. If little kids can be beaten by iron rods openly by religious extremists in their own school, it is no short of a wonder that Aasia bibi still breathes.
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If there are certain witnesses around and they have also heard say somthing bad to over beloved Prophet (Pbuh) then her sentence is rite according to the Islamic republic of Pakistan law… you will be killed if same kind of incident is taken place in Saudia Arabia……Recommend
@MJ: you call it dark age it is far more worst then that,,,, it is a matter on which we all should thinkagain….. For GOD sake “ISLAM IS A RELIGION OF PEACE”
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@ Adnan, JAZAKALLAH for raising your voice for Dr.Aafia
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@ Sadia, if you are so ashamed of this country, I am sure you will shun your Nationality and severe all contacts with Pakistan
Good Riddance !
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@ Sadia, about Dr. Aafia, it is a matter of fact
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@ Adnan: two wrongs don’t make a right!
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@ maleeha, Lets only talk about Pakistan. This Aasia has been convicted by (more than one, competent) Court of Law (of Pakistan). I am sure you would like to uplohd the sanctity of the law (of Pakistan). She should be hanged (as per Court Decision)
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If Qadri is set free; someone will shoot her dead in the prison
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In the case of Afia Siddique she is not their citizen that’s why they were this strict to her but in this case she is citizen of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and what we are doing with our citizens. huh…
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It is very unethical and disbursing behaviour from any law enforcement officials to prisoner.
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Hipocrisy!! Hipocrisy!! Hipocrisy!!
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who provided those allegedly prohibited items in to her highly secure jail.?? The warden’s act is questionable?
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Imagine The Heaven full of Mullas, I need to reconsider where I want to go after my death The alternative dosent sound that bad anymore
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Comments machines are running fast, because victim is a non-muslim.
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Torture is a weapon of sick minds.
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I think many bloggers are off the mark bringing in blasphemy, islam, Dr Afia etc. What this article portrays is how cruel the jail staffs are. Nothing more.
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Saudi Arabia has exported all this hatred, and we still call it a friend.
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every liberal who comments here in favor of Aasia is like he himself witnessed that she didnt utter a single blasphemous words n she is completely innocent! just because someone is poor we give him/her all the liberty to say anything he/she wants??? think twice before you say, don’t forget we have to be accountable to ALLAH for that…there is no doubt about the capital punishment for blasphemers in Islam…!
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@Jadugar
no one could stop you from going to the alternate place…you are already there by supporting the liberals!
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@ JJ and other Dr. Afia supporters…Why don’t you guys understand that both women at receiving end are Pakistanis.
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this fictitious story contains no version of punjab prisons department therefore its more like an emotional fiction than a true journalism. tribune should learn some sort of objective journalism. will it write about kashmiris plight?
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Making an issue out of something is the easiest job in the world. Let Aasia be held responsible for the crime that she committed, don’t defend it by supporting her.
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Lord Have Mercy On all
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@Adnan:
Ummmmm….what does America have anything to do with this. Now are you going to say that Asia Bibi is an American spy/agent.
People like you represent and constitute exactly what is wrong with our nation. Lack of pragmatism and the ability to remain objective.
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@Orient Knave: Let God be the judge of that.
Shocking!!!!!! Upsetting when did it become okay to kill a mother and free a
Murderer???? His plea is readily accepted hers unheard, she gets tortured he is a Hero
Tired of defending Pakistan it is no longer the country I was once proud of.
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@Ali:
Time to end the bad habits inhabited from the kaafir British then.
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American treatment of Afia bibi is wrong but Pakistani treatment of Asia bibi is right because….Munawar Hassan said so :-).
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Pakistan is on wrong path. Pakistani society became intolerant, there is no respect for humans lives. I don’t see islam is practiced in Pakistan. Mullahs rules masses and population became herd of sheeps. I don’t know what else left to see in Pakistan.
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@Jadugar:
I don’t know, why it is todays phenomena to target mullas, now what mulla did in her torture?
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@JJ:
You wrote:
“these so called human champs silent over Americans cruelty and crying over blasphemy law, a law which was passed by national assembly. So, they are challenging the state. if they have any issue they can contact to court over it. And do they know, still no person get punished over the blasphemy law.”
No person got punished under blasphemy law because in most cases convicted person got killed either by brainwashed mob of people like you or tortured and killed in prison. If GOD thinks that person has insulted him, GOD is powerfull enough to punish that person. GOD does not need help of humans laws to punish any guilty. Recommend
@Sadia:
I agree with you. Things are getting worse in this lovely country of ours due to these religious fanatics. I think as a country we need to redefine the role of Mulla’s in our day to day life otherwise, we are gone as a nation.
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Why blasphemy law only favours Islam? Why all relgions are not treated equaly under this law? What a hypocratic country you have become?
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@Ashraf Ahmed:
and you and others who want to murder her,has had a ‘wahi’ that she said so.talk of bigotry.and dont talk about allah;allah doe not belong in hearts filled with hatred and spite.
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Such a shame. Utterly despicable. Would the Holy Prophet(saw) have done this? All those who are involved in this are most vile despicable beasts who have no idea what Islam is. The punishment of blasphemy is great, however, that punishment Allah has reserved for himself. Allah has not given this right to man.
Shame on the clerics of Pakistan.
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@Adnan:
wrong done by others doesn’t make your wrong actions justified!!!
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@Muhammad Asif Shaikh:
it is the core issue for minorities, if you were among them then you would know, their lives being played by religious clerics and no one is there to ask them. i think the right to live and practice one’s religion is one of the most basic human rights. how would you feel if someone put you in jail for just praying or saying salam or reading kalma since this law is present in pakistan for ahmadis. what if US puts in place similar blasphemy laws and convict any muslim who speak against that Prophet Jesus is God !!! state should be independent of religion…there is no other way out!!!
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@ Dave
Why blasphemy law only favours Islam? Why all relgions are not treated equaly under this law? What a hypocratic country you have become?
dear dave, the concept of blasphemy is absent in hinduism. we can criticise our gods if we wish. no problems. our gods are not so weak. they do not get offended because some tom, dick or harry abuses them. they are capable of forgiveness.Recommend
Why bring Dr Afia’s name here. She is not a Pakistani but an American. Aasia is an illiterate and poor labour woman and it is inhuman to compare her with Dr.Afia.Recommend
Do Muslims have weak faith and no confidence in their God? Only in Islamic countries do God and his messengers need protection by mortal men and the blasphemy laws.
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@Adnan:
How so? She was given an open trial in which she did not defend herself instead wasted jury’s time in explaining how she can get an agreement between Taliban and the US. If you have terrorism charges levelled against you the last thing you want to say is that you have any influence with the taliban. She shot herslef in the foot big time.
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@Word Life:
The only reason he ‘raises his voice’ for Afia is he can’t defend Asia’s case hence tries to divert the discussion. Old trick of the wicked.
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We are here for you Aasia Bibi. Keep your spirits up. PAK cannot hang you, cannot keep you in prison for ever. The future of PAK survival depends on how she treats you.
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Do pakistani knows that AAFIA was a american green card holder.so why we consider her pakistani national.?
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What is the difference between Muslims & those Americans who detained Dr,Afia ?.Our people are doing worse then those non Muslims
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@Adnan:
“You are wrong. The worst is being exhibited by Americans on Dr.Afia Siddiqui. Correct your knowledge,”
You ought to be ashamed for equating Asia Bibi’s case with Afia Siddiqui. Aasia was a poor woman who did not do anyone any harm. Whereas Afia is a member of Al Qaeda and conspired to commit acts of terrorism.
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@Ammar:
“If there are certain witnesses around and they have also heard say somthing bad to over beloved Prophet (Pbuh) then her sentence is rite according to the Islamic republic of Pakistan law… you will be killed if same kind of incident is taken place in Saudia Arabia……”
Please just think. Why would god or his prophet be offended if someone says something? Do you think, if they are real, they would really care? Isn’t the very idea of blasphemy a primitive one especially in this 21st century of scientific progress, individual freedom and human enlightenment? Why is it the “duty” of others to punish “blasphemers” to protect their god or prophet?Recommend
I urge every Pakistani minorities to leave Pakistan for the sake of their safety, Pakistan is going backward and reading the comments above, even the youth are supporting extremism and there is no hope left for non-muslims/atheists/liberals..
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@zalim singh:
zalim singh women are the worst enemy of women the presumed warden in this report is still presumed lady. untill another source pops up and says no Asia was jailed with men.
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@ Jameel, You were quick enough to reply to one of my message, you, however, failed to see my next message
“Lets only talk about Pakistan. This Aasia has been convicted by (more than one, competent) Court of Law (of Pakistan). I am sure you would like to uplohd the sanctity of the law (of Pakistan). She should be hanged (as per Court Decision)”
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@ Adnan and the 56 people who have thumbsed up his comment – you sicken me. First and foremost, two wrongs don’t make a right. What happens in the Bibi case has nothing to do with Dr. Afia.
Second, Dr. Afia collaborated with terrorists. She deserves absolutely no mercy. Why must we Pakistanis defend people like Salman Butt, Afia Siddiqui, and Mumtaz Qadri? Those are the heroes of Pakistan. We stand up for tyrants, blockheads, cheaters, and liars. We are a nation of cowards if we can’t stand up for the weak. We are a nation of liars and awful morals if we stand up for the aformentioned crooks. Cowards and liars. Great.Recommend
Asia bibi is innocent set her free.Abolish article 295b/c.
Allah will happy to pakistan.
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@Ammar:
First of all it seems that the blasphemy charge is a lie. Secondly is Islam so weak that even if somebody did say something insulting to the religion or prophet, they must be killed? Remember the attitude of the people of Mecca during the time of the prophet, did he ever say that because these people harass me or insult me and my religion, they must be killed?
This view of blasphemy is a creation of ordinary people in order to control the poor and the weak.Recommend
@Word Life:
Pakistani courts competent? The last time a judge did a fair judgement on blasphemy charges and acquitted the accused, the judge was killed. The judge who passed judgement in Qadri’s case is in hiding with his office thrashed and him and family getting threats. There were armed mullahs all the time outside his court during hearings. The governor who tried to help helpless Asia is killed as well as the federal minister Shehbaz Bhatti.
How competent do you think judges can be in this environment?
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International agencies need to help the lady with her family come out of pakistan;even if she is acquitted,mullahs wont let her live;it will be a good thing for the lady and pakistan.They wont have a “blasphemer” in their country.Although i doubt that mullahs and their followers will be satisfied without the kill.But at least the world will know what the interpretation of quran shareef is for these people.
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Is Aasia Bibi innocent? What was her crime? Blasphemy or Tauheen-e-rasalat! She repeatedly said on Media that she respect Hazrat Prophet Muhammad SAW. She was tortured before and still being tortured in jail. Does Islam allow this sort of treatment with ladies and minorities: NO, not at all! But, nothing could be done to stop the bad luck to Pakistani people who abuse and terrorize the poors, women, minorities, and children and unprivileged ones. Protests in favor of the murderer of Governor Taseer, Mumtaz Qadri, have been launched across the country to release him. Many fanatic Mullahs and such sort of Media anchors are presently speaking and writing for this murderer. This is a complete moral bankruptcy of the nation.
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To all those constantly bickering about Aafia, wake up and realize that Aafia and Aasia are both Pakistanis. Secondly, Aasia is being tortured and ridiculed for something she said; Aafia was sentenced based on incriminating evidence for crimes far more serious than uttering words.
And to all those constantly talking about Allah, Islam and blasphemy, you guys need to learn to respect other people’s views, religions and opinions. Just because YOU follow Islam doesn’t give you a judgement ticket to tell others how to behave and/or who is subject to what kind of punishment.
To the person who said ‘go to court, you are challenging state’: that is what ought to happen and hopefully will happen. If the state puts people to death for blasphemy, it needs to have its laws revised.
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If a group of people can be so divided about any law it should not exist. If that law also endangers people more than it protects, it should not exist. Laws such as the blashphemy law that can be enforced simply by only accusations are dangerous to anyone who may end up in a misunderstanding with someone self righteous and vindictive.
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come to India, or any other peaceful countryRecommend
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
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@Ashraf Ahmed:
Very Respected, Ashraf Ahmaed sab,
our country need unity, solidarity and peace, Christians of Pakistan are not American nor European even not Migrated from any country , they are 100 % made of this land , they always plays a vital role in the country’s development and stand with shoulder to shoulder with our Muslim brothers in any situation of war, disaster and injustice, they have faith in God and have Holy book Bible, they never been involved in any crimes and things which is related against the Country’s security, so this is very very little introduction of Christians of Pakistan, they are poor, having less sources of income you know very well, so by faith and by circumstances any Pakistani Christian never ever think do say any single word against any Prophet even against Holy Prophet (PBUH) we always respect Holy prophet PBUH and we Love Islam and its teaching as our Neighbor and Holy religion, it has great teaching for all human, so please do efforts for religious harmony and interfaith harmony , we need it now a days, we also condemn the Dr.Afia’s arrest and human violation against her, we condemn all Americans and their tricks against our country, so we are with Pakistan our lives are here, our children and future is here , please come forward together and make a peaceful Pakistan, Quid e Azam ka Pakistan, May ALLAH BLESS YOU ALWAYS
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