10/24/2018 Pakistan (International Christian Concern) – A Christian lawyer from the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) has claimed that the only reason Pakistan’s Supreme Court has delayed their decision in the Asia Bibi case is for “security”.
“Generally the Supreme Court announces decisions the same day,” Shaheryar Gill, Senior Litigation Counsel at ACLJ, told the Baptist Press. “In politically high-profile cases, or in these type security cases, these are the only times when the court doesn’t announce.”
On October 8, Pakistan’s Supreme Court heard Bibi’s final appeal against her death sentence. Following the hearing, the Supreme Court said it would reserve its decision for an undisclosed future date and asked the media not to comment on the case before that decision was announced. Since then, many have speculated as to what the Supreme Court’s decision will be and when they will announce that decision.
In 2009, Bibi, a Christian woman, was accused of committing blasphemy against Islam after getting into a fight with Muslim coworkers over her use of a water bowl. In 2010, Bibi was convicted of committing blasphemy and sentenced to death.
Bibi’s blasphemy case remains the highest profile blasphemy case in Pakistan and around the world with many countries taking keen interest in her release. In Pakistan, religious extremists are demanding the court find Bibi guilty and see that she is executed. These extremists have threatened both the Supreme Court Justices and the government at large if their demands are not met.
For interviews with William Stark, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org.
