Husband, NGO scrap over Aasia Bibi’s case
Monetary disputes between Ashiq and the Masihi Foundation have put Aasia’s appeal on the back-burner.
LAHORE:
The case which ultimately cost Salmaan Taseer his life is stuck in deadlock, amid allegations of financial impropriety and tussles over representation.
Taseer’s assassin, Mumtaz Qadri, killed the Governor of Punjab because of his support for Aasia Noreen, a Christian woman sentenced to death in November 2010 for blasphemy. Aasia’s appeal case is still due to be heard in the high court.
Recent investigations, however, reveal a dispute between Aasia’s husband Ashiq and the Masihi Foundation (MF), which claims it has represented Aasia – more commonly known as Aasia Bibi – from day one.
It appears that Aasia’s name is being used by different lobbies to promote themselves and gather funds. SK Rashid, the lawyer who filed her appeal in the high court, has not yet been paid by MF. This is a claim MF accepts, saying they will soon make the payments.
On the other hand, Ashiq says that MF does not represent Aasia any more. “We do not think it is advisable to pursue Aasia’s case right now under the current government,” says Ashiq. “We are in touch with some top lawyers in the country.”
Ashiq’s claims are rejected by Haroon Barkat, head of MF, based in the UK, which was representing Aasia when she was sentenced. “We were and still are the legal counsel for Aasia. Ashiq is only interested in money-making, which he has been involved in ever since international support started coming in for Aasia,” he alleges.
According to Haroon, Ashiq signed a contract last year with a French publisher for a book on Aasia. “I have been getting around 5% royalties and as yet they have sent around a million rupees,” Ashiq admits. Sources say he has used the money to start a construction business.
While fund-raising for Aasia is not being directed towards her, Ashiq claims that a recent press release by MD citing a visit to Aasia in Sheikhupura jail is false. The news was carried by all global news agencies after a statement issued by MF claimed that Aasia’s health is deteriorating and she is mentally ill. Ashiq rejects this, saying he met Aasia over Christmas and she has no health issues.
“I asked Aasia and she says no one met her. The Masihi Foundation is trying to earn money out of my wife’s name,” he says. This claim can also be independently verified from the Home Secretary Punjab Shahid Khan, who confirmed that he did not give any permission for the visit, while the Sheikhupura Jail Administration also confirmed that no such visit happened.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 4th, 2012.
The case which ultimately cost Salmaan Taseer his life is stuck in deadlock, amid allegations of financial impropriety and tussles over representation.
Taseer’s assassin, Mumtaz Qadri, killed the Governor of Punjab because of his support for Aasia Noreen, a Christian woman sentenced to death in November 2010 for blasphemy. Aasia’s appeal case is still due to be heard in the high court.
Recent investigations, however, reveal a dispute between Aasia’s husband Ashiq and the Masihi Foundation (MF), which claims it has represented Aasia – more commonly known as Aasia Bibi – from day one.
It appears that Aasia’s name is being used by different lobbies to promote themselves and gather funds. SK Rashid, the lawyer who filed her appeal in the high court, has not yet been paid by MF. This is a claim MF accepts, saying they will soon make the payments.
On the other hand, Ashiq says that MF does not represent Aasia any more. “We do not think it is advisable to pursue Aasia’s case right now under the current government,” says Ashiq. “We are in touch with some top lawyers in the country.”
Ashiq’s claims are rejected by Haroon Barkat, head of MF, based in the UK, which was representing Aasia when she was sentenced. “We were and still are the legal counsel for Aasia. Ashiq is only interested in money-making, which he has been involved in ever since international support started coming in for Aasia,” he alleges.
According to Haroon, Ashiq signed a contract last year with a French publisher for a book on Aasia. “I have been getting around 5% royalties and as yet they have sent around a million rupees,” Ashiq admits. Sources say he has used the money to start a construction business.
While fund-raising for Aasia is not being directed towards her, Ashiq claims that a recent press release by MD citing a visit to Aasia in Sheikhupura jail is false. The news was carried by all global news agencies after a statement issued by MF claimed that Aasia’s health is deteriorating and she is mentally ill. Ashiq rejects this, saying he met Aasia over Christmas and she has no health issues.
“I asked Aasia and she says no one met her. The Masihi Foundation is trying to earn money out of my wife’s name,” he says. This claim can also be independently verified from the Home Secretary Punjab Shahid Khan, who confirmed that he did not give any permission for the visit, while the Sheikhupura Jail Administration also confirmed that no such visit happened.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 4th, 2012.