Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who was acquitted by the Supreme Court in a blasphemy case has left Pakistan for Canada, Geo News citing its sources reported on Wednesday.
Sources add that Asia Bibi’s travel documents were made one month ago. Asia Bibi’s arrival in Canada was confirmed by her lawyer Saif Ul Malook to CNN.
Asia Bibi’s conviction was overturned by Pakistan’s highest court on October 31, 2018 in a landmark decision. She had remained in prison as the Supreme Court’s decision triggered protests in the country from religious groups led by the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan. Protesters were called off when the government agreed to impose a travel ban on Asia Bibi and not to challenge a review appeal against the verdict.
In January 2019, the apex court rejected the petition challenging the decision to acquit Asia Bibi. Following the rejection of the petition, Asia Bibi was moved to a secret location.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in an interview to BBC in February said Asia Bibi was in Pakistan and a free person.
“She [Asia Bibi] is a free person. The Supreme Court has found her innocent. They have acquitted her,” Qureshi said during the interview.
The foreign minister said Asia Bibi was free to leave, however, the government would protect her for the rest of her life is she choose to remain in Pakistan. “We have asked friends around the world if they want to help her.”
