Blasphemy convict Aasia Bibi develops skin ‘allergy'

Jail doctor confirms reports, while authorities insist she is well.

LAHORE:

Blasphemy convict Christian woman Aasia Bibi is said to have developed a skin condition while in solitary confinement in Sheikhupura District Jail, The Express Tribune has learnt.

Sources at the prisons department said she had been unwell for a week. At the jail, Dr Irfan Riaz confirmed that she had contracted a skin disease, but assured it “is not something to worry about”.

“It is not chicken pox. It is probably some kind of skin allergy,” he said.

Insisting that the prisoner was getting proper medical attention, Riaz said: “Her cell is cleaned regularly and bed sheets are changed twice a day.”

“Aasia is being provided proper care because of the nature of her case,” he added.

Another official also said the authorities were paying special attention, saying Aasia was a “high-profile prisoner” and “no risks could be taken with her health”.

Another official insisted that she “is perfectly fine”. “I ordered her medical examination and all tests were negative,” he said.

He said that the prison authorities had arranged a meeting between Aasia Bibi and her husband Ashiq Maseeh on Tuesday. “A woman assistant superintendent and two women health workers have been assigned on a 12-hour rotation basis,” he said.

Another official said that both the IG and DIG prisons had visited the jail twice last month to check on Aasia’s security.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th,  2011.