Asia Bibi's husband asks US President Donald Trump for refuge

[INDIAPOSITIVE]

The husband of a Pakistani Christian woman acquitted after spending eight years on death row on charges of blasphemy has appealed to US President Donald Trump for refuge, citing danger to family members' lives.

Key points:

• The ultra-right TLP party called for the murder of the judges who acquitted Asia Bibi
• More than 150 protesting against the acquittal were arrested on arson, vandalism and violence charges
• The TLP struck a deal with the Government which could put Ms Bibi on an "exit control list"

Ashiq Masih, the husband of Asia Bibi, whose case has outraged Christians worldwide and been a source of division within Pakistan, also appealed to the United Kingdom and Canada for assistance.

"Please help us, we are in trouble in Pakistan," Mr Masih appealed to Mr Trump in a brief video message.

"I also request the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to help us, I also request the Prime Minister of Canada," he added, while also asking for help on behalf of his brother, Joseph Nadeem, who has assisted with Ms Bibi's case.

PHOTO: Asia Bibi and her family have always maintained her innocence. (AP: File)
The US Embassy and British and Canadian high commissions in Islamabad did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the video.

Pakistan's top court acquitted Ms Bibi on Wednesday (local time) of the charges carrying the death penalty, infuriating hard-line Islamists who held three days of nationwide protests demanding her execution.

The ultra-right Tehreek-e-Labaik (TLP) party blocked major roads in Pakistan's biggest cities during the protests, calling for the murder of the Supreme Court judges who acquitted Ms Bibi and labelling Prime Minister Imran Khan and the country's army chief enemies of Islam.

The TLP called off the protests late on Friday after striking a deal with the Government that could see authorities seek to put Ms Bibi on an "exit control list", barring her from leaving the country and open a review of the verdict in the courts.

But enraged protesters had already torched scores of vehicles and attacked government and public property.

Police said over 150 people were arrested on charges of arson, vandalism and violence.

PHOTO: Protesters in Hyderabad burn an effigy of Asia Bibi, who had spent eight years on death row. (AP: Pervez Masih)
Senior police officer Nayab Haider said police were using video clips to identify those involved in assaults, torching property and vehicles, and blocking highways.

Defending the police's actions, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the Government could not spare those involved in violence. He said the Government cleared blocked cities without any bloodshed.

"No government can tolerate a rebellion against the state," Mr Chaudhry said.

'There will be a war if they send Asia out of the country'
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VIDEO: Hard line Islamists protest for Christian woman to be executed for blasphemy (ABC News)
On Saturday, Ms Bibi's lawyer, Saiful Mulook, said he had left Pakistan "to save [my] life from [the] angry mob" and because of fears for the safety of his family.

Ms Bibi was convicted of blasphemy in 2010 for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Islam after neighbours objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not Muslim.

She has always denied committing blasphemy.

Her case caught the attention of then Punjab provincial governor Salman Taseer who spoke in Ms Bibi's defence before being assassinated by his bodyguard in 2011.

The TLP was founded out of a movement to support Mr Taseer's assassin, who was hanged in 2016.

Federal minister for minorities Shahbaz Bhatti was also killed after calling for her release.

PHOTO: Protests against Pakistan's blasphemy verdict had brought life to a standstill in areas around the country. (AP: KM Chaudary)
Ms Bibi's whereabouts are unknown, but the TLP has warned the authorities against taking her out of the country.

"There will be a war if they send Asia out of country," TLP leader Khadim Hussain Rizvi said after the deal with the Government was reached.

Islamist parties have characterised Ms Bibi's release as Pakistan's Government caving into Western demands.


https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11...bi-husband-appeals-to-trump-for-help/10465954

 

[atan651]

Ms Bibi's family and relatives should take refuge in the West soonest possible. Wish them all the best. Pakistan is totally inhospitable to them now.

 

[Imran Khan]

trump is stupid ask some sane person man

 

[A.A. Khan]

Another move to destabilize Pakistani govt. and push it against the wall to start some sort of civil war.
This proves Asia bibi judgement was due to international pressure.

This is the level of our 'Pakistani' minorities.
I think we should revoke his passport and make him stateless. When you need to beg from others why keep that nations passport.
Funny part is most of the family has been relocated to Ontario, Canada. And he is appealing to Trump.

They are not concerned how their fellow Pakistanis will suffer or what other communities will face. They feel international pressure will work again.

TLP is a political force if she goes these goons will forget about who was Asia bibi and will go after to destroy the Govt.
295-c blasphemy law was enacted so that people don't take the issue in their hands.
It will be rendered meaningless and vigilantism will become the norm.
Pakistan Govt. taking action on religiousmiscreeants should also take action on the foreign funded liberals' provocation on the social media. Bothof these extremist jerks are trying to damage us. OVerseas ch*tiyas who kepp other countries passports should be treated as foreigners.

 

[war&peace]

Another move to destabilize Pakistani govt. and push it against the wall to start some sort of civil war.
This proves Asia bibi judgement was due to international pressure.

This is the level of our 'Pakistani' minorities.
I think we should revoke his passport and make him stateless.
Funny part is most of the family has been relocated to Ontario, Canada. And he is appealing to Trump.

They are not concerned how their fellow Pakistanis will suffer or what other communities will face. They feel international pressure will work again.

TLP is a political force if she goes these goons will forget about who was Asia bibi and will go after to destroy the Govt.
295-c blasphemy law was enacted so that people don't take the issue in their hands.
It will be rendered meaningless and vigilantism will become the norm.
Pakistan Govt. taking action on religiousmiscreeants should also take action on the foreign funded liberals' provocation on the social media. Bothof these extremist jerks are trying to damage us. OVerseas ch*tiyas who kepp other countries passports should be treated as foreigners.

That's why her name should be on ECL.. now it is pretty clear that if she leaves the country, she will be a part of propaganda machine. But at the same time, we have stupids in our country and also external agencies so in that case, if she leaves it will be better because if the court frees her and anyone kills her, it will be bad for the country as well and also it is not good to kill a person who is not convicted of the crime.

 

[Path-Finder]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1059392139602378752

 

[Peaceful Civilian]

Asia bibi and her family is not safe in Pakistan. Even Asia lawyer ran away after life threats. Our governor was also killed on blasphemy issue. I think Asia bibi has right to leave Pakistan. Pakistan is not safe place for her family.

 

[Taimoor Khan]

Anywhere but west. Resettle them in Gulf states. Otherwise, be prepared to get Pakistan good name dragged through dirt in hostile western media.

 

[A.A. Khan]

@war&peace

You still don't understand the extent of situation here.
We should now stop caring what western news media is/will say. PAkistan's image is'nt fantastic anyways. We are already economically isolated in the West. And since 9/11 they have proven any investment coming from them would be thru IMF to devastate Pakistan or thru agents who carry their agenda.
For Pakistan to improve its image it needs to improve economically and remain stable. That'll only happen if our country does'nt suffer law and order issues.

These states are trying to destabilize us by using these issues.
This is why this stupid judgement has pushed Pakistan into a dilemma it can't get out of.
People still don't understand the ramifications.
If this govt. pushes her abroad it is toast alongwith PAkistani public.
It took us 5+ years, thousands killed and millions displaced post-Lal masjid to defeat that situation.

Lal Masjid unleashed terrorist Fazlullah

TLP rose by using Mumtaz Qadri hanging against the state. Every action is creating a new set of demons in reaction.

 

[Hiraa]

Her family can leave the country and go live where ever they want. But sign a contract that they will not spew hate against Pakistan in western media. No interviews and no media talk. The last thing Pakistan needs is another propaganda against it.

If she or her family talks about what happened no matter how tragic it was, it can do some more harm to already damaged Pakistan image. While western countries treat their minorities like shit, none of that gets global coverage.

 

[VCheng]

Her family can leave the country and go live where ever they want. But sign a contract that they will not spew hate against Pakistan in western media. No interviews and no media talk. The last thing Pakistan needs is another propaganda against it.

If she or her family talks about what happened no matter how tragic it was, it can do some more harm to already damaged Pakistan image. While western countries treat their minorities like shit, none of that gets global coverage.

As a person exonerated by the Supreme Court, Asia Bibi has every right to express her views in any manner she so desires, just the same as every other person. There is no legal basis for the government to do as you suggest above.

 

[Pan-Islamic-Pakistan]

Asking help from Trump? I don’t know how I feel about that.

Did her husband forget all the BS Trump has done against Pakistan and Muslims?

This is just going to fuel more hate.

 

[Hiraa]

As a person exonerated by the Supreme Court, Asia Bibi has every right to express her views in any manner she so desires, just the same as every other person. There is no legal basis for the government to do as you suggest above.

I know. I understand that'd it be taking her right away. But do we really need another blow to Pakistan's image?

Does the global media cover how Black people are shot every now and then in USA?But this they will cover as most un-humanitarian act in the history of earth.

 

[Pan-Islamic-Pakistan]

But sign a contract that they will not spew hate against Pakistan in western media. No interviews and no media talk. The last thing Pakistan needs is another propaganda against it.

They will break that deal on the first day of having left Pakistan .

 

[VCheng]

I know. I understand that'd it be taking her right away. But do we really need another blow to Pakistan's image?

Does the global media cover how Black people are shot every now and then in USA?But this they will cover as most un-humanitarian act in the history of earth.

Has it occurred to you that suppressing her further, without legal basis, after exoneration by the Supreme Court, would hurt Pakistan's image far more than anything she could say?