View source for Biography:Asia Bibi blasphemy case

{{short description|2010 Pakistani criminal case}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox court case
|name               = Asia Bibi v. The State
|court              = Supreme Court of Pakistan
|imagesize          = 100px
|full name          = Mst. Asia Bibi v. The State etc.
|date decided       = 31 October 2018
|transcripts        = [https://web.archive.org/web/20181031151312/http://www.supremecourt.gov.pk/web/user_files/File/Crl.A._39_L_2015.pdf Judgement]
|judges             = {{hlist|Mian Saqib Nisar|Asif Saeed Khosa|Mazhar Alam Miankhel}}
|number of judges   = 3
|decision by        = Nisar
|concurring         = Khosa
|appealed from      = Court of Session at Sheikhapura
|appealed to        = Lahore High Court<br />(rejected 16 October 2014)
|subsequent actions = Supreme Court of Pakistan<br />Judgement of lower courts reversed
|keywords           = {{hlist|death sentence|[[Religion:Blasphemy|blasphemy]]}}
|italic title       = no
}}
[[File:Asia Bibi, February 2020.jpg|thumb|Asia Bibi in February 2020]]
In 2010, a Pakistani Christian woman, '''Aasiya Noreen''' ({{lang-ur|{{nq|آسیہ نورین}}|translit=Āsiyāh Naurīn}}, {{IPA-ur|ˈɑːsiɑː nɔːˈriːn|}}; born {{circa|1971}}<ref name="kazim">{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/gesellschaft/0,1518,729847,00.html|title=Eine Ziege, ein Streit und ein Todesurteil|last=Kazim|first=Hasnain|date=19 November 2010|work=Der Spiegel|language=de|trans-title=A goat, a fight and a death sentence|access-date=19 November 2010|archive-date=21 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121062734/http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/gesellschaft/0,1518,729847,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>), commonly known as '''Asia Bibi''' ({{lang|ur|{{nq|آسیہ بی بی}}}}) or '''Aasia Bibi''', was convicted of [[Religion:Islam and blasphemy|blasphemy]] by a Pakistani court and was sentenced to death by hanging.<ref name="fears">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11923701|title=Fear for Pakistan's death row Christian woman|date=5 December 2010|work=BBC News|access-date=5 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206045829/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11923701|archive-date=6 December 2010 |url-status=live}}
</ref> In October 2018, the Supreme Court of Pakistan acquitted her based on insufficient evidence,<ref name=BBC2018-10-31/> though she was not allowed to leave Pakistan until the verdict was reviewed.<ref name="Karim2018"/><ref name="Farmer2018"/><ref name="NDTV2019"/> She was held under armed guard and was not able to leave the country until 7 May 2019; she arrived in Canada the next day.<ref>{{cite news|title=Asia Bibi, Pakistani Christian woman cleared of blasphemy charges, arrives in Canada|date=8 May 2019|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-asia-bibi-pakistani-christian-woman-cleared-of-blasphemy-charges/|work=Globe and Mail|access-date=8 May 2019|quote=Ms. Bibi was being held in an undisclosed location in Pakistan with armed security protecting her since her release from prison last October. Mr. Malook said he didn't know why it had taken so long for her to be able to leave the country.|archive-date=8 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508223358/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-asia-bibi-pakistani-christian-woman-cleared-of-blasphemy-charges/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2009, Noreen was accused of blasphemy after an argument with co-workers while harvesting berries.<ref name="Shackle2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/18/lahore-high-court-asia-bibi-death-penalty|title=The Lahore court's decision to uphold Asia Bibi's death penalty is far from just|first=Samira|last=Shackle|date=18 October 2018|work=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=1 November 2018|quote=Bibi's alleged blasphemous comments were supposedly made after co-workers refused to share water that she had carried; they said it was unclean because she was a Christian (this is a hangover from the caste system, as most of those who converted to [[Religion:Christianity|Christianity]] in pre-partition India were members of the lower castes).|archive-date=4 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104063029/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/18/lahore-high-court-asia-bibi-death-penalty|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Zakaria2018">{{cite web|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/151723/death-sentence-cup-water|first=Rafia|last=Zakaria|title=A Death Sentence Over a Cup of Water?|date=16 October 2018|publisher=The New Republic|language=en|access-date=1 November 2018|quote=The question of drinking order is a vestige of the Hindu caste system that has lingered in the area even after most of the population converted to Islam over a hundred years ago. Christians, believed to be converts from Dalits, continue to be treated as untouchables in parts of Pakistan. For high Brahmans, using the same utensils as someone from a lower caste represented contamination or impurity. It seems the women in the field with Asia Bibi on that ill-fated June day believed this as well.|archive-date=3 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103155043/https://newrepublic.com/article/151723/death-sentence-cup-water|url-status=live}}</ref> She was subsequently arrested and imprisoned. In November 2010, a Sheikhupura judge sentenced her to death by hanging. The verdict was upheld by Lahore High Court and received worldwide attention. Various petitions for her release were created by organisations aiding persecuted Christians such as Voice of the Martyrs,<ref name=Lane/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.persecution.org/2011/07/26/global-petition-launched-to-save-asia-bibi/|title=Global Petition Launched to Save Asia Bibi|last=Murashko|first=Alex|date=23 July 2011|publisher=International Christian Concern|language=en|access-date=31 October 2018|archive-date=1 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101015459/https://www.persecution.org/2011/07/26/global-petition-launched-to-save-asia-bibi/|url-status=live}}</ref> including one that received 400,000 signatures; [[Biography:Pope Benedict XVI|Pope Benedict XVI]] and Pope Francis called for the charges to be dismissed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/10/31/blasphemy-pakistan-frees-asia-bibi-death-row/1830129002/|title=Blasphemy: Pakistan frees Asia Bibi, a Christian, from death row|last=Bacon|first=John|date=31 October 2018|publisher=[[Software:USA Today|USA Today]]|language=en|access-date=31 October 2018|archive-date=31 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031165238/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/10/31/blasphemy-pakistan-frees-asia-bibi-death-row/1830129002/|url-status=live}}</ref> She received less sympathy in comparison in the country, where some adamantly called for her to be executed. Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti and Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer were both assassinated for advocating on her behalf and opposing the blasphemy laws.<ref name="Lodge2018"/><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-assassination-idUSTRE7211GH20110302 | work=Reuters | title=Militants say killed Pakistani minister for blasphemy | date=2 March 2011 | access-date=5 July 2021 | archive-date=5 March 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305131019/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/02/us-pakistan-assassination-idUSTRE7211GH20110302 | url-status=live }}</ref> Noreen's family went into hiding after receiving death threats by Islamic fundamentalists, some of which threatened to kill Noreen if released from prison.<ref name=price/> Muslim cleric Maulana Yousaf Qureshi announced a bounty of {{currency|500000|PKR|first=yes}} to anyone who would kill her.<ref name="Tribune2010"/>

On 31 October 2018, the Supreme Court of Pakistan acquitted Noreen,<ref name=BBC2018-10-31>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46040515|title=Asia Bibi: Pakistan acquits Christian woman on death row|publisher=BBC|date=31 October 2018|access-date=31 October 2018|quote=Chief Justice Saqib Nisar read out the ruling saying she was free to go, if not wanted in connection with any other case.|archive-date=8 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508171515/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46040515|url-status=live}}</ref> citing "material contradictions and inconsistent statements of the witnesses" which "cast a shadow of doubt on the prosecution's version of facts."<ref name="Aqeel2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/october/asia-bibi-free-pakistan-blasphemy-death-supreme-court.html|title=Pakistan Frees Asia Bibi from Blasphemy Death Sentence|date=31 October 2018|publisher=Christianity Today|language=en|access-date=31 October 2018|first=Asif|last=Aqeel|quote=In their final judgment, reviewed by CT, reversing Bibi's convictions by two lower courts and removing her death sentence, the panel of three judges ruled that Bibi was "wrongly" accused by two sisters with the help of a local cleric, based on "material contradictions and inconsistent statements of the witnesses" that "cast a shadow of doubt on the prosecution's version of facts." "Furthermore, the alleged extra-judicial confession was not voluntary but rather resulted out of coercion and undue pressure as the appellant was forcibly brought before the complainant in presence of a gathering, who were threatening to kill her; as such, it cannot be made the basis of a conviction," they wrote. "Therefore, the appellant being innocent deserves acquittal," the judges concluded. One even accused Bibi's accusers of violating a covenant made by Muhammad with Christians in the seventh century but still valid today. "Blasphemy is a serious offence," wrote justice Asif Saeed Khosa, "but the insult of the appellant's religion and religious sensibilities by the complainant party and then mixing truth with falsehood in the name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was also not short of being blasphemous.|archive-date=2 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181102092921/https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/october/asia-bibi-free-pakistan-blasphemy-death-supreme-court.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The decision sparked protests headed by Islamist parties in major cities of the country,<ref name="2018DW">{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/islamists-block-roads-in-pakistan-over-asia-bibi-blasphemy-case/a-46117513|title=Islamists block roads in Pakistan over Asia Bibi blasphemy case|date=1 November 2018|publisher=Deutsche Welle|language=en|access-date=1 November 2018|quote=Islamists launched protests after the country's Supreme Court ruled to acquit Bibi of blasphemy in a widely publicized case.|archive-date=16 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416063432/https://www.dw.com/en/islamists-block-roads-in-pakistan-over-asia-bibi-blasphemy-case/a-46117513|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Williams2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/asia-bibi-case-thousands-protest-in-pakistan-for-second-day-over-the-acquittal-of-christian-woman-a3977946.html|title=Asia Bibi case: Thousands protest in Pakistan for second day over the acquittal of Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy|date=1 November 2018|author=Sophie Williams|publisher=Evening Standard|language=en|access-date=1 November 2018|quote=Radical Islamists mounted rallies against the verdict, blocking roads and burning tyres in protest as they demanded she be executed.|archive-date=16 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416063853/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/asia-bibi-case-thousands-protest-in-pakistan-for-second-day-over-the-acquittal-of-christian-woman-a3977946.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SaifiGriffiths2018"/> but was praised by human rights groups and those advocating on behalf of Christian minorities, such as International Christian Concern, Open Doors and Aid to the Church in Need.<ref name="SaifiGriffiths2018">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/31/asia/pakistan-asia-bibi-blasphemy-intl/index.html|title=Pakistani Christian Asia Bibi has death penalty conviction overturned|date=31 October 2018|publisher=CNN|language=en|access-date=31 October 2018|author=Sophia Saifi and James Griffiths|archive-date=14 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414113254/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/31/asia/pakistan-asia-bibi-blasphemy-intl/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Sherwood2018"/> On 2 November 2018, however, the Government of Pakistan signed an agreement with the [[Religion:Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan|Tehreek-e-Labbaik]] political party (TLP), which was leading the protests; this agreement barred Noreen from leaving the country.<ref name="Farmer2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/11/02/christian-woman-cleared-blasphemy-barred-leaving-pakistan/|title=Christian woman cleared of blasphemy barred from leaving Pakistan|date=2 November 2018|publisher=The Telegraph|language=en|access-date=2 November 2018|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430133408/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/11/02/christian-woman-cleared-blasphemy-barred-leaving-pakistan/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Stubley2018"/><ref name="N182018">{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/world/hardliners-to-call-off-protests-over-acquittal-of-asia-bibi-after-pm-imran-khans-govt-bars-her-from-leaving-pakistan-1928561.html|title=Asia Bibi Barred From Leaving Pakistan as Imran Khan Govt Strikes Deal With Islamist Protesters|date=2 November 2018|publisher=News 18|language=en|access-date=2 November 2018|archive-date=3 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103091834/https://www.news18.com/news/world/hardliners-to-call-off-protests-over-acquittal-of-asia-bibi-after-pm-imran-khans-govt-bars-her-from-leaving-pakistan-1928561.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RP2018">{{cite web|url=http://www.radio.gov.pk/02-11-2018/successful-negotiations-between-tehreek-e-labbaik-and-govt|title=Govt & Tehreek-e-Labbaik reach agreement to end protests|date=2 November 2018|publisher=Radio Pakistan|language=en|access-date=2 November 2018|archive-date=25 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525083750/http://www.radio.gov.pk/02-11-2018/successful-negotiations-between-tehreek-e-labbaik-and-govt}}</ref><ref name="AhmadMasood2018">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/02/world/asia/pakistan-blasphemy-asia-bibi.html|title=Pakistan Makes Concessions to Protesters in Blasphemy Case|date=2 November 2018|work=The New York Times|language=en|access-date=2 November 2018|archive-date=2 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181102184445/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/02/world/asia/pakistan-blasphemy-asia-bibi.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It led to accusations that the executive was capitulating to extremists.<ref name="Stubley2018">{{cite news|author=Peter Stubley|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/asia-bibi-pakistan-government-deal-islamist-extremist-protests-blasphemy-supreme-court-a8616011.html|title=Asia Bibi: Pakistan government stops Christian woman leaving country after 'caving in' to hardline Islamists|date=3 November 2018|work=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2 November 2018|quote=Under the terms of the deal made on Friday night, prime minister Imran Khan's administration said it would begin legal proceedings to place Asia Bibi on the "exit control list" (ECL). ... "I am not surprised that Imran Khan's regime has caved in to extremists," said Wilson Chowdhry, chair of the British Pakistani Christian Association.|archive-date=26 May 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220526/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/asia-bibi-pakistan-government-deal-islamist-extremist-protests-blasphemy-supreme-court-a8616011.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="2018BBC">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46080067|title=Asia Bibi: Deal to end Pakistan protests over blasphemy case|date=2 November 2018|publisher=BBC|language=en|access-date=2 November 2018|archive-date=3 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103002305/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46080067|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Goldsmith2018"/> Italy, {{wipe|Canada}}, as well as other Western countries worked to help her leave Pakistan. On 7 November 2018, she was released from the New Jail for Women in Multan. However, by Christmas, she was reported to have spent Christmas Day in some form of custody.<ref name="2018NDTV">{{cite web |title=Cleared In Blasphemy Case, Asia Bibi To Still Spend Christmas In Custody |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/exonerated-but-not-free-asia-bibi-to-spend-christmas-in-custody-1966871 |publisher=NDTV |date=23 December 2018 |access-date=27 December 2018 |archive-date=27 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227181521/https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/exonerated-but-not-free-asia-bibi-to-spend-christmas-in-custody-1966871 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="SBS2018">{{cite web |title=Exonerated but still not free: Pakistan's Asia Bibi to spend Christmas in custody |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/exonerated-but-still-not-free-pakistan-s-asia-bibi-to-spend-christmas-in-custody |publisher=SBS News |language=en |date=24 December 2018 |access-date=27 December 2018 |archive-date=27 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227133054/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/exonerated-but-still-not-free-pakistan-s-asia-bibi-to-spend-christmas-in-custody |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 29 January 2019, a petition requesting an appeal against the court's decision to acquit Noreen was rejected, "lifting the last legal hurdle in the case and paving the way for her to leave the country."<ref name="NDTV2019">{{cite web |title=Asia Bibi Could Leave Pak After Court Upholds Acquittal In Blasphemy Case |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/pakistan-supreme-court-rejects-challenge-against-asia-bibi-acquittal-1984968 |publisher=NDTV |language=en |date=29 January 2019 |access-date=29 January 2019 |archive-date=30 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430133404/https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/pakistan-supreme-court-rejects-challenge-against-asia-bibi-acquittal-1984968 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=BBCacquit/> On 11 April 2019, Prime Minister Imran Khan (who had previously attacked hardliners appealing them to be calm)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-asia-46048433|title=Asia Bibi: Imran Khan attacks hardliners over court case|date=31 October 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=27 January 2020|archive-date=22 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622213320/https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-asia-46048433|url-status=live}}</ref> stated that a "complication" had delayed her departure from the country.<ref name="Williams2019">{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Alex |title=Pakistan's PM says 'complication' delaying Asia Bibi's exit |url=https://www.premier.org.uk/News/World/Pakistan-s-PM-says-complication-delaying-Asia-Bibi-s-exit |publisher=Premier Christian Radio |access-date=14 April 2019 |language=en |date=11 April 2019 |archive-date=14 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414084301/https://www.premier.org.uk/News/World/Pakistan-s-PM-says-complication-delaying-Asia-Bibi-s-exit |url-status=live }}</ref> On 8 May 2019, she landed in Canada and was reported to be doing well.<ref name="SangMcKay">{{cite web |author1=Lucia I. Suarez Sang, Hollie McKay |title=Asia Bibi in Canada after fleeing Pakistan following blasphemy acquittal, lawyer says |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/asia-bibi-in-canada-after-fleeing-pakistan-following-blasphemy-acquittal-lawyer-says |publisher=Fox News |access-date=9 May 2019 |language=en |date=8 May 2019 |archive-date=9 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509003405/https://www.foxnews.com/world/asia-bibi-in-canada-after-fleeing-pakistan-following-blasphemy-acquittal-lawyer-says |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Religion:Blasphemy law in Pakistan|blasphemy law in Pakistan]] has resulted in the extrajudicial killings, incited by accusations, of over 60 people, has been blamed for dozens of communal attacks that have taken place against religious minorities on the pretext of blasphemy;<ref name="Aqeel2018"/><ref name=aljazeera>{{cite journal|last1=Hashim|first1=Asad|title=Living in fear under Pakistan's blasphemy law|journal=Al Jazeera|date=17 May 2014|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/05/living-fear-under-pakistan-blasphemy-law-20145179369144891.html|access-date=21 November 2014|quote=In Pakistan, 17 people are on death row for blasphemy, and dozens more have been extrajudicially murdered.|archive-date=2 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102043016/http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/05/living-fear-under-pakistan-blasphemy-law-20145179369144891.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{citation |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/asia/2018/11/08/is-the-pakistani-state-capable-of-standing-up-to-blackmail |title=Part-time spine, Is the Pakistani state capable of standing up to blackmail? |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=10 November 2018 |page=40 |access-date=19 November 2018 |quote=several hundred people have been charged,...No one has yet been executed. But more than 50 people accused of blasphemy have been murdered. |archive-date=19 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119074621/https://www.economist.com/asia/2018/11/08/is-the-pakistani-state-capable-of-standing-up-to-blackmail |url-status=live }}</ref> it has been used by individuals as a tool for revenge against other people.<ref name="Smith2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/muslims-block-roads-supreme-court-justices-killed-asia-bibi-acquittal-228280/|title=Muslims Block Roads, Call for Supreme Court Justices to Be Killed Over Asia Bibi Acquittal|date=31 October 2018|publisher=The Christian Post|language=en|access-date=1 November 2018|quote=In Pakistan, blasphemy (insulting Islam or its prophet Muhammad) is a crime punishable by life imprisonment or death. The law is often abused by Muslims looking to settle scores with religious minorities. Bibi has denied the accusations. In response to the court's announcement that a three-judge panel reversed earlier court rulings against Bibi on grounds that evidence against her was insufficient, TLP supporters have reportedly staged street protests and have also blockaded major roadways.|archive-date=31 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031233509/https://www.christianpost.com/news/muslims-block-roads-supreme-court-justices-killed-asia-bibi-acquittal-228280/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Hasan2010"/> Noreen was the first woman in Pakistan to be sentenced to death for blasphemy and would have been the first person in Pakistan to be executed for blasphemy under the current law.<ref name=aps>{{cite news |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101111/wl_sthasia_afp/pakistanunrestreligionchristian |first=Waqar |last=Hussain |title=Christian Woman Sentenced to Death in Pakistan |publisher=Agence France-Presse |date=11 November 2010 |access-date=11 November 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114071047/http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101111/wl_sthasia_afp/pakistanunrestreligionchristian| archive-date=14 November 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=tele>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/8120142/Christian-woman-sentenced-to-death-in-Pakistan-for-blasphemy.html |first1=Rob |last1=Crilly |first2=Aoun |last2=Sahi |title=Christian Woman sentenced to Death in Pakistan for blasphemy |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=9 November 2010 |access-date=11 November 2010 |location=London| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101111174909/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/8120142/Christian-woman-sentenced-to-death-in-Pakistan-for-blasphemy.html| archive-date=11 November 2010 }}</ref>

==Background and arrest (2009–2010)==
Aasiya Noreen was born and raised in Ittan Wali, a small, rural village in the Sheikhupura District of Punjab, Pakistan,{{sfn|Allen|2013|p=36}}<ref>{{cite web|last=Munir|first=Manzer|title=Aasia Bibi and Impurities in the Land of the Pure|publisher=Digital Journal|date=7 December 2010|url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/301145|access-date=7 December 2010|archive-date=10 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210093529/http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/301145|url-status=live}}</ref> thirty miles outside of Lahore.<ref name=Walsh/> Poor Christians in the district, and elsewhere in {{wipe|Pakistan}}, often have lower-class occupations such as cleaning and sweeping.<ref name=Walsh/> Noreen, who is a Catholic,{{sfn|Allen|2013|p=35}} worked as a farmhand in Sheikhupura to support her family.{{sfn|Allen|2013|p=35}} She married Ashiq Masih, a brick laborer who had three children from a previous marriage, and had two children with him.<ref name=McCarthy/><ref>{{cite news|last=Perlez|first=Jane|title=Pakistani Sentenced to Death May Get a Pardon|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/world/asia/23pstan.html|work={{wipe|The New York Times}}|access-date=25 November 2013|date=22 November 2010|archive-date=20 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220093018/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/world/asia/23pstan.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Noreen and her family were the only Christians in the village.<ref name=price/> Before her incarceration, she had been repeatedly urged by her fellow workers to convert to Islam.{{sfn|El Shafie|2012|p=16}}

In June 2009, Noreen was harvesting falsa berries with a group of other women farmhands in a field in Sheikhupura.{{sfn|Allen|2013|p=35}} She was asked at one point to fetch water from a nearby well;<ref name=tele/> she complied but stopped to take a drink with an old metal cup she had found lying next to the well.<ref name=CT>{{cite news|title='I'm Afraid She'll Be Killed Very Soon if Nothing Happens'|url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013/september-web-only/asia-bibi-pakistan-blasphemy-im-afraid-shell-be-killed.html|work=Christianity Today|access-date=25 November 2013|date=23 September 2013|archive-date=16 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016090226/http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013/september-web-only/asia-bibi-pakistan-blasphemy-im-afraid-shell-be-killed.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A neighbor of Noreen, Musarat, who had been involved in a running feud with Noreen's family about some property damage,<ref name= kazim/> saw her and angrily told her that it was forbidden for a Christian to drink  water from the same utensil from which Muslims drink, and that some of the other workers considered her to be unclean because she was a Christian, referring to the caste system in Pakistan.<ref name="Shackle2018"/><ref name="Zakaria2018"/> Noreen recounts that when they made derogatory statements about Christianity and demanded that she convert to Islam, she responded, "I believe in my religion and in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for the sins of mankind. What did your Prophet Mohammed ever do to save mankind? And why should it be me that converts instead of you?"<ref name=CT/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/31/asia-bibi-verdict-pakistan-court-overturns-blasphemy-death-sentence|title=Asia Bibi: Pakistan court overturns blasphemy death sentence: Christian woman to be freed after being sentenced in 2010, accused of insulting prophet Muhammad|last=Barker|first=Memphis|date=31 October 2018|work=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=31 October 2018|quote=Christian farm labourer Bibi, a 47-year-old mother of five, was sentenced to hang for blasphemy in 2010. She had angered fellow Muslim farm workers by taking a sip of water from a cup she had fetched for them on a hot day. When they demanded she convert to Islam, she refused, prompting a mob to later allege that she had insulted the prophet Mohammed.|archive-date=31 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031063425/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/31/asia-bibi-verdict-pakistan-court-overturns-blasphemy-death-sentence|url-status=live}}</ref> An argument ensued.<ref name=Taseer/>

A mob came to her house, beating her and members of her family before she was taken away by the police.<ref name= tele /> The police initiated an investigation about her remarks, resulting in her arrest under [[Religion:Blasphemy law in Pakistan|Section 295 C]] of the Pakistan Penal Code.<ref name=aps/>

In an interview with CNN, local police officer Muhammad Ilyas claimed that Noreen said that "the Quran is fake and your prophet remained in bed for one month before his death because he had worms in his ears and mouth. He married Khadija just for money and after looting her kicked her out of the house".<ref name="SayahHabib2010">{{cite web|url=http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/11/christian-woman-sentenced-to-death-for-blasphemy-in-pakistan/|title=Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan|date=11 November 2010|publisher=CNN|language=en|access-date=1 November 2018|author=Reza Sayah, Nasir Habib|archive-date=12 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112032748/http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/11/christian-woman-sentenced-to-death-for-blasphemy-in-pakistan/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Village [[Religion:Imam|Imam]] Qari Muhammad Salim, to whom Noreen's coworkers reported the alleged blasphemy, claimed that Noreen confessed to him and apologized.<ref name="SayahHabib2010"/> On the other hand, the Asian Human Rights Commission published a letter that stated:<ref name="AHRC2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-177-2010/|title=Muslim leaders who issued decree to kill a Christian woman should be prosecuted|date=8 December 2010|publisher=Asian Human Rights Commission|language=en|access-date=1 November 2018|archive-date=3 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103091817/http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-177-2010/|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{quotation|Five days after the incident, a local Muslim leader, Qari Salem, jumped into the matter and pressured some people in the area to claim that she committed blasphemy. When finding no way to get Ms. Bibi to confess, Salem used the loudspeakers of the mosque, as other Muslim leaders usually do in the cases of alleged blasphemy acts, to spread the news of blasphemy and instigate the people of the locality to punish the alleged blasphemer. The people of the locality beat her severely in the presence of her children.<ref name="AHRC2010"/>}}

She was subsequently imprisoned for over a year before being formally charged.{{sfn|Marshall|2013|p=195}}

==Prosecution and imprisonment==
Noreen denied that she had committed blasphemy and said that she had been accused by her neighbor to "settle an old score".<ref name=price/>{{sfn|Marshall|2013|p=195}}<ref name=Shea>{{cite news|last=Shea|first=Nina|title=Pakistan's Honorable Shahbaz Bhatti, Murdered with Impunity One Year Ago|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407053044/http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/292471/pakistan-s-honorable-shahbaz-bhatti-murdered-impunity-one-year-ago-nina-shea |url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/292471/pakistan-s-honorable-shahbaz-bhatti-murdered-impunity-one-year-ago-nina-shea|archive-date=7 April 2013|work=National Review Online|access-date=7 January 2014|date=2 March 2012}}</ref> In November 2010, Muhammad Naveed Iqbal, a judge at the court of Sheikhupura, Punjab, sentenced her to death by hanging. Additionally, a fine the equivalent of $1,100, was imposed on her.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/11/christian-woman-sentenced-to-death-for-blasphemy-in-pakistan/|first1=Reza|last1=Sayah|first2=Nasir|last2=Habib|publisher=CNN|title=Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan|date=11 November 2010|access-date=11 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112032748/http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/11/christian-woman-sentenced-to-death-for-blasphemy-in-pakistan/|archive-date=12 November 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

With the verdict, she became the first woman condemned to death in Pakistan on blasphemy charges.<ref name=McCarthy>{{cite news|last=McCarthy|first=Julie|title=Christian's Death Verdict Spurs Holy Row In Pakistan|url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/14/132031645/christian-s-death-verdict-spurs-holy-row-in-pakistan|work=NPR|access-date=27 November 2013|date=14 December 2010|archive-date=1 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901085519/https://www.npr.org/2010/12/14/132031645/christian-s-death-verdict-spurs-holy-row-in-pakistan|url-status=live}}</ref> Noreen described the day of her sentencing as follows:

{{blockquote|I cried alone, putting my head in my hands. I can no longer bear the sight of people full of hatred, applauding the killing of a poor farm worker. I no longer see them, but I still hear them, the crowd who gave the judge a standing ovation, saying: "Kill her, kill her! [[Religion:Takbir|Allahu Akbar]]!" The court house is invaded by a euphoric horde who break down the doors, chanting: "Vengeance for the holy prophet. Allah is great!" I was then thrown like an old rubbish sack into the van... I had lost all humanity in their eyes.<ref name=John>{{cite news|last=St. John|first=Hal|title=Ten million people now want to kill me|url=http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/features/2012/06/14/ten-million-people-now-want-to-kill-me/|work=Catholic Herald|access-date=28 November 2013|date=14 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204163407/http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/features/2012/06/14/ten-million-people-now-want-to-kill-me/|archive-date=4 December 2013}}</ref>}}

Noreen's husband, Ashiq Masih, 51 years old at the time,<ref name="jang.com.pk">{{Cite news|title=Asia Bibi|url=http://jang.com.pk/jang/nov2010-daily/25-11-2010/col4.htm|newspaper=Jang|place={{wipe|Pakistan}}|date=25 November 2010|access-date=11 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218114813/http://jang.com.pk/jang/nov2010-daily/25-11-2010/col4.htm|archive-date=18 December 2010}}.</ref> announced that he planned to appeal the verdict, which has to be upheld by the Lahore High Court.<ref name=aps /> A month later, Salmaan Taseer, the governor of Punjab who investigated the affair for President Asif Ali Zardari, stated that Noreen would most likely be pardoned if the High Court did not suspend the sentence.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/11/23/pakistan.christian/?hpt=T2  |publisher=CNN  |author=Henderson L, Agrawal A  |title=Pakistan's president will pardon Christian woman, official says |date=23 November 2010  |access-date=30 November 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101124055731/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/11/23/pakistan.christian/?hpt=T2| archive-date= 24 November 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> Zardari was poised to grant pardon, but the High Court issued a stay order against a potential presidential pardon, which remains in force to date.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/latest-news/5817.htm |title=LHC stays Aasia release under Presidential order |date=29 November 2010 |newspaper=The News |location=Pakistan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129144313/http://thenews.com.pk/latest-news/5817.htm |archive-date=29 November 2010 |access-date=19 March 2017 }}</ref><ref name=Akkara>{{cite news|last=Akkara|first=Anto|title=International Clamor for Asia Bibi's Release Grows|url=http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/international-clamor-for-asia-bibis-release-grows/|work=National Catholic Register|access-date=27 November 2013|date=20 July 2012|archive-date=4 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204052107/http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/international-clamor-for-asia-bibis-release-grows/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Court transcripts showed numerous inconsistencies in the evidence presented, and reporters said they dare not repeat Noreen's testimony lest they also be accused of blasphemy.<ref name=":0">{{cite web | url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/6/18/blasphemy-in-pakistan-the-case-of-aasia-bibi.html | title=Blasphemy in Pakistan: The case of Aasia Bibi | publisher=Al Jazeera | date=15 June 2015 | access-date=6 July 2015 | archive-date=7 July 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707002333/http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/6/18/blasphemy-in-pakistan-the-case-of-aasia-bibi.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

Noreen was put in [[Social:Solitary confinement|solitary confinement]] in an {{convert|8|x|10|ft|m|adj=on}} cell<ref name=Lane>{{cite news|last=Lane|first=Gary|title=Awaiting Justice: Asia Bibi Supporters Call for Mercy|url=http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2011/November/Despite-death-Sentence-Asia-Bibis-Family-Holds-Firm/|work=CBN News|access-date=25 November 2013|date=10 November 2011|archive-date=2 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202222615/http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2011/November/Despite-death-Sentence-Asia-Bibis-Family-Holds-Firm/|url-status=live}}</ref> without windows at the Lahore prison.{{sfn|Allen|2013|p=36}} Before his assassination, Taseer visited her at the jail several times with his wife, Aamna, and daughter, Shehrbano,<ref name=Walsh/> though Pakistani court officials later ruled that she could be visited only by her husband and lawyer.{{sfn|Allen|2013|p=36}} Khalid Sheikh, the prison superintendent, said that while he wanted her to be treated "like any other prisoner", she had to be kept away from other inmates for her own well-being,<ref name=Ind/> as other individuals accused of blasphemy had been killed while in prison.<ref name=price/><ref name="Panahi2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/blogs/rita-panahi/asia-bibi-is-innocent-but-shell-never-be-safe-in-pakistan/news-story/e471928be2a640b6c5de2250095338df|title=Asia Bibi is innocent but she'll never be safe in Pakistan|date=1 November 2018|publisher=Herald Sun|language=en|access-date=1 November 2018|author=Rita Panahi|quote=Since that day in 2009, she has been in prison, in solitary confinement, in a 2.4 by 3m cell without a window. Bibi can't mix with other prisoners for fear that she'll be killed, which is often the fate of those accused of blasphemy in Pakistan.|archive-date=4 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404171729/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/blogs/rita-panahi/asia-bibi-is-innocent-but-shell-never-be-safe-in-pakistan/news-story/e471928be2a640b6c5de2250095338df|url-status=live}}</ref> The Masihi Foundation, a human rights group, described her physical condition as "very frail", and her health was reported to be in decline due to poor living conditions at the jail.{{sfn|Marshall|2013|p=195}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Aasia bibi 'very frail', not been taken seriously: NGO|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/309563/aasia-bibi-very-frail-not-been-taken-seriously-ngo/|work=The Express Tribune|access-date=8 January 2014|date=21 December 2011|archive-date=7 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107045118/http://tribune.com.pk/story/309563/aasia-bibi-very-frail-not-been-taken-seriously-ngo/|url-status=live}}</ref> She has also been threatened by other inmates and subjected to physical abuse from prison guards.{{sfn|El Shafie|2012|p=16}}<ref name=Tanveer>{{cite news|last=Tanveer|first=Rana|title=Blasphemy convict: Aasia Bibi's appeal at least two years away|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/569761/blasphemy-convict-aasia-bibis-appeal-at-least-two-years-away/|work=The Express Tribune|access-date=8 January 2014|date=29 June 2013|archive-date=9 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109072905/http://tribune.com.pk/story/569761/blasphemy-convict-aasia-bibis-appeal-at-least-two-years-away/|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to Human Rights Watch, Noreen's situation is not unusual.<ref name="Hasan2010">{{cite news|last=Dayan Hasan|first=Ali|title=Pakistan: Filthy Business|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2010/11/15/pakistan-filthy-business|work=Human Rights Watch|access-date=13 January 2014|date=15 November 2010|archive-date=20 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120173009/https://www.hrw.org/news/2010/11/15/pakistan-filthy-business|url-status=live}}</ref> Though no one has been executed for blasphemy yet in Pakistan,<ref>{{cite news|last=Crilly|first=Rob|title=Christian woman sentenced to death in Pakistan 'for blasphemy'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8120142/Christian-woman-sentenced-to-death-in-Pakistan-for-blasphemy.html|work=The Telegraph|access-date=13 January 2014|date=9 November 2010|archive-date=2 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102091831/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8120142/Christian-woman-sentenced-to-death-in-Pakistan-for-blasphemy.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the accused often remain imprisoned for a long time while the case is being processed.<ref name=Tanveer/> In May 2014, Noreen's appeal hearing was delayed for the fifth time.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pakistan: Asia Bibi case delayed for fifth time, court seeks to pardon TV staff|url=http://www.theglobaldispatch.com/pakistan-asia-bibi-case-delayed-for-fifth-time-court-seeks-to-pardon-tv-staff-86305/|work=Global Dispatch|access-date=2 June 2014|date=28 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530104251/http://www.theglobaldispatch.com/pakistan-asia-bibi-case-delayed-for-fifth-time-court-seeks-to-pardon-tv-staff-86305/|archive-date=30 May 2014}}</ref>

===Local reaction===
Noreen's conviction led to divided opinions on the blasphemy laws and drew strong reactions from the public. Pakistani Human Rights Watch researcher Ali Dayan Hasan said, "The law creates this legal infrastructure which is then used in various informal ways to intimidate, coerce, harass and persecute."<ref name=Brulliard/> He further described the law as "discriminatory and abusive".<ref name=price/> Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer and Pakistan's Minority Affairs Minister Shahbaz Bhatti both publicly supported Noreen, with the latter saying, "I will go to every knock for justice on her behalf and I will take all steps for her protection."<ref name=price/> She also received support from Pakistani political scientist Rasul Baksh Rais and local priest Samson Dilawar.<ref name=McCarthy/> The imprisonment of Noreen left Christians and other minorities in Pakistan feeling vulnerable, and liberal Muslims were also unnerved by her sentencing.<ref name=Ind/>

The general population was less sympathetic towards Noreen. Several signs were erected in Sheikhupura and other rural areas declaring support for the blasphemy laws, including one that called for Noreen to be beheaded.<ref name=Ind/> Mohammad Saleem, a member of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan party, organized a demonstration in [[Place:Rawalpindi|Rawalpindi]] and led a small crowd chanting, "Hang her, hang her."<ref name=McCarthy/> In December 2010, a month after Noreen's conviction, Maulana Yousaf Qureshi, the Muslim cleric of the Mohabaat Khan Mosque in Peshawar, announced a {{PKRConvert|500000}} Pakistani rupee bounty to anyone who would kill her.<ref name="Tribune2010">{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/85412/blasphemy-case-masjid-imam-offers-reward-to-kill-aasia/|title=Blasphemy case: Cleric offers Rs500,000 for Aasia's execution|date=3 December 2010|publisher=The Express Tribune|language=en|access-date=1 November 2018|quote=Maulana Yousaf Qureshi, the Khateeb of the historic Masjid Mohabaat Khan in Peshawar, offered a Rs500,000 reward for anyone who kills Aasia, Online news agency reported.|archive-date=1 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101015358/https://tribune.com.pk/story/85412/blasphemy-case-masjid-imam-offers-reward-to-kill-aasia/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Allen|2013|p=36}}<ref name=aps/> One survey reported that around 10 million Pakistanis had said that they would be willing to personally kill her out of either religious conviction or for the reward.{{sfn|Allen|2013|p=36}} The village mosque in Ittan Wali was reportedly indifferent towards Noreen's plight; its imam, who helped register the case against her, Qari Mohammed Salim, stated that he had wept for joy on learning that she had been sentenced to death and threatened that some people would "take the law into their own hands" should she be pardoned or released.<ref name=price>{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11930849 | title = Pakistani Christian Asia Bibi 'has price on her head' | last = Guerin  | first = Orla |date = 6 December 2010 | work = BBC | access-date = 6 December 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101207044430/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11930849| archive-date= 7 December 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> However, journalist Julie McCarthy suggested that the country's "more peaceful majority views" had been overshadowed by the more vocal fundamentalists.<ref name=McCarthy/>

Noreen's family has received threats and has gone into hiding.<ref name=price/> Ashiq, her husband, stated that he was afraid to let their children go outside. He also expressed concern about how Noreen would be kept safe should she be released, saying, "No one will let her live. The mullahs are saying they will kill her when she comes out."<ref name=price/> Her family declined to leave the country while she remained in prison. Italy, France, and Spain all offered to grant her and her family asylum in the event of her release.<ref name=CT/>

====Assassinations of Taseer and Bhatti====
[[File:Salmaan Taseer October 29, 2009 Lahore.jpg|thumb|upright|Salmaan Taseer]]
On 4 January 2011, at Kohsar Market of Islamabad, governor of Punjab Salmaan Taseer was assassinated by Malik Mumtaz Hussein Qadri, a 26-year-old member of his security team, because of his defence of Noreen and opposition to the blasphemy law. Mumtaz Qadri was sentenced to death for the assassination and hanged on 29 February 2016. Taseer was outspoken in his criticism of the law and the verdict in Noreen's case. The next day, thousands turned up for the governor's funeral in Lahore in spite of warnings by the Taliban and some clerics,<ref name=Taseer>{{cite news|title=Salman Taseer: Thousands mourn Pakistan governor|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12116764|work=BBC News|access-date=25 November 2013|date=5 January 2011|archive-date=12 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212163340/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12116764|url-status=live}}</ref> while a portion of the Pakistani population also praised Qadri as a hero;{{sfn|Hughes|2012|p=138}} thousands of Sunni Muslims rallied in support of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan after the murder,<ref name=Walsh>{{cite news|last=Walsh|first=Declan|title=Salmaan Taseer, Aasia Bibi and Pakistan's struggle with extremism|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/08/salmaan-taseer-blasphemy-pakistan-bibi|work=The Guardian|access-date=3 March 2011|date=8 January 2011|archive-date=9 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109183335/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/08/salmaan-taseer-blasphemy-pakistan-bibi|url-status=live}}</ref> and 500 Barelvi clerics prohibited their followers from sending condolences to the family of Taseer.<ref name=Anthony/> This resulted in concerns that the public was becoming tolerant of extremists.<ref name=Anthony/>

Prison officials said that Noreen "wept inconsolably" on learning of Taseer's assassination while repeatedly saying, "That man came here and he sacrificed his life for me."<ref name=Ind>{{cite news|title=Salmaan Taseer came here and he sacrificed his life for me|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/salmaan-taseer-came-here-and-he-sacrificed-his-life-for-me-2179170.html|work=The Independent|access-date=27 November 2012|date=8 January 2011|archive-date=12 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612045856/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/salmaan-taseer-came-here-and-he-sacrificed-his-life-for-me-2179170.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Father Andrew Nisari, a senior Catholic spokesperson in Lahore, described the situation as "utter chaos".<ref name=Ind/> Seven months later, in August 2011, Taseer's 28-year-old son, Shahbaz, was kidnapped.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ali|first=Muhammad Faisal|title=Slain Salman Taseer's son kidnapped|url=http://dawn.com/2011/08/27/slain-salman-taseers-son-kidnapped/|work=The Dawn|access-date=11 September 2012|date=27 August 2011|archive-date=25 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825091209/http://dawn.com/2011/08/27/slain-salman-taseers-son-kidnapped/|url-status=live}}</ref> Shahbaz Taseer was later found or released in March 2016, and he returned to Lahore on 9 March after five years in captivity.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/09/shahbaz-taseer-man-held-five-years-pakistan-militants-reunited-family|title=Shahbaz Taseer: Pakistan's high-profile kidnap victim reunited with family|last=Boone|first=Jon|date=9 March 2016|work=The Guardian|access-date=17 December 2016|archive-date=20 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320150200/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/09/shahbaz-taseer-man-held-five-years-pakistan-militants-reunited-family|url-status=live}}</ref>

Minority Affairs Minister Shahbaz Bhatti said that he was first threatened with death in June 2010 when he was told that he would be beheaded if he attempted to change the blasphemy laws. In response, he told reporters that he was "committed to the principle of justice for the people of Pakistan" and willing to die fighting for Noreen's release.<ref name=price/> On 2 March 2011, Bhatti was shot dead by gunmen who ambushed his car near his residence in Islamabad, presumably because of his position on the blasphemy laws. He had been the only Christian member of Pakistan's cabinet.<ref name=Anthony>{{cite news|last=Anthony|first=Augustine|title=Militants say killed Pakistan minister for blasphemy|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-assassination-idUSTRE7211GH20110302|work=Reuters|access-date=2 March 2011|date=2 March 2011|archive-date=5 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305131019/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/02/us-pakistan-assassination-idUSTRE7211GH20110302|url-status=live}}</ref>

===International response===
Noreen's death sentence drew international outrage<ref name=Sayah>{{cite news|last=Sayah|first=Reza|title=Pakistan president urged not to pardon Christian woman|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/11/24/pakistan.christian/|publisher=CNN|access-date=27 November 2013|date=24 November 2010|archive-date=3 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203062558/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/11/24/pakistan.christian/|url-status=live}}</ref> and strong condemnation from non-governmental organizations defending persecuted Christians, as well as human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch who saw the blasphemy laws as a form of religious persecution and called for them to be abolished.<ref name=Lane/><ref name=McCarthy/><ref name=price/> [[Biography:Pope Benedict XVI|Pope Benedict XVI]] publicly called for clemency for Noreen.<ref name=Brulliard>{{cite news|last=Brulliard|first=Karin|title=Both sides in blasphemy case pressure Zardari|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/25/AR2010112503585.html|newspaper={{wipe|The Washington Post}}|access-date=27 November 2013|date=26 November 2010|archive-date=4 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204071648/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/25/AR2010112503585.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In his statement, he described his "spiritual closeness" with Noreen and urged that the "human dignity and fundamental rights of everyone in similar situations" be respected.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pope Benedict urges freedom for Asia Bibi|url=http://dawn.com/news/583037/pope-benedict-urges-freedom-for-asia-bibi|work=Dawn.com|access-date=28 November 2013|date=17 November 2010|archive-date=3 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203033220/http://dawn.com/news/583037/pope-benedict-urges-freedom-for-asia-bibi|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Crilly|first=Rob|title=Pope Benedict XVI calls for release of Christian sentenced to hang in Pakistan|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/8142127/Pope-Benedict-XVI-calls-for-release-of-Christian-sentenced-to-hang-in-Pakistan.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=27 November 2013|date=18 November 2010|archive-date=4 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104022829/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/8142127/Pope-Benedict-XVI-calls-for-release-of-Christian-sentenced-to-hang-in-Pakistan.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Her case also achieved extensive media coverage, and American journalist John L. Allen Jr. wrote that she is "almost certainly the most famous illiterate Punjabi farm worker and mother of five on the planet".{{sfn|Allen|2013|p=35}} According to Allen, she has become a celebrity among Christian activists, an unusual instance when cases of discrimination against Christian minorities typically receive little attention in the press.{{sfn|Allen|2013|p=35}} A number of campaigns have been organized to protest her imprisonment through online petitions, Twitter trends, and concerts. Ooberfuse, a Christian pop band based in the United Kingdom collaborated with the British Pakistani Christian Association,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FqBZw2nnYc| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211115/_FqBZw2nnYc| archive-date=2021-11-15 | url-status=live|title=Ooberfuse ft Wizard MC – Free Asia Bibi |last=ooberfuseband|date=14 October 2018|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and released a song titled "Free Asia Bibi" with a music video that included "a disturbing visual portrayal of the squalid prison conditions where Bibi is being held".<ref name=Akkara/> She has also been the subject of books and documentaries.{{sfn|Allen|2013|p=36}}

One petition created by the Voice of the Martyrs, an organisation aiding persecuted Christians, received over 400,000 signatures from individuals from over 100 countries.<ref name=Lane/> Another petition, organised by the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ), obtained over 200,000 signatures and called for America's aid to Pakistan (said to be cumulatively eight billion dollars) to stop whilst persecution of minorities is allowed in that country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aclj.org/persecuted-church/stop-paying-for-persecution|title=Not One More Dime for Persecution|website=American Center for Law and Justice|access-date=30 October 2014|archive-date=29 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029215339/http://aclj.org/persecuted-church/stop-paying-for-persecution?|url-status=live}}</ref>

Umar Al-Qadri, an Islamic cleric in Ireland, called for Noreen's release and stated he would back organisations wishing the same, holding that, "Asia Bibi is a case where the lady is denying that she committed blasphemy, and based on that it would be sufficient for the court to release her, but unfortunately that particular law, the blasphemy law in Pakistan, does not represent the true Islamic teaching".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishcatholic.com/top-muslim-calls-for-asia-bibis-release/|title=Top Muslim calls for Asia Bibi's release|author=Greg Daly|date=25 October 2018|publisher=The Irish Catholic|access-date=2 November 2018|archive-date=21 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521022529/https://www.irishcatholic.com/top-muslim-calls-for-asia-bibis-release/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Appeals (2014–2017)==

On 16 October 2014, the Lahore High Court dismissed Noreen's appeal and upheld her death sentence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1138402/lhc-upholds-blasphemy-convict-asia-bibis-death-penalty |author=AFP |title=LHC upholds blasphemy convict Asia Bibi's death penalty |publisher=Dawn.com |date=16 October 2014 |access-date=16 October 2014 |archive-date=16 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016160025/http://www.dawn.com/news/1138402/lhc-upholds-blasphemy-convict-asia-bibis-death-penalty |url-status=live }}</ref> On 20 November 2014, her husband appealed to the President of Pakistan for clemency.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1145782/asia-bibis-husband-asks-president-mamnoon-for-pardon | title=Asia Bibi's husband asks President Mamnoon for pardon | date=20 November 2014 | publisher=DAWN | access-date=6 July 2015 | archive-date=7 July 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707001245/http://www.dawn.com/news/1145782/asia-bibis-husband-asks-president-mamnoon-for-pardon | url-status=live }}</ref> On 24 November 2014, her lawyer appealed to the Supreme Court of Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1146577 | title=On death row for blasphemy, Asia Bibi makes final appeal to SC | date=24 November 2014 | publisher=DAWN | access-date=6 July 2015 | archive-date=6 July 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706221514/http://www.dawn.com/news/1146577 | url-status=live }}</ref>

On 22 July 2015, the Supreme Court suspended Noreen's death sentence for the duration of the appeals process.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-33617186 | title=Pakistan Supreme Court suspends Asia Bibi death sentence | date=22 July 2015 | publisher=BBC | access-date=20 June 2018 | archive-date=30 May 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530231047/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-33617186 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/22/asia/pakistan-blasphemy-case/ | title=Pakistan court to hear appeal by woman sentenced to death for blasphemy | date=22 July 2015 | publisher=CNN | access-date=6 December 2015 | archive-date=15 February 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215225045/http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/22/asia/pakistan-blasphemy-case/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2015, her lead attorney, Naeem Shakir, announced that, after two postponements in 2015, the Supreme Court would hear an appeal in Noreen's case on 26 March 2016.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.news.va/en/news/asiapakistan-asia-bibi-a-new-hearing-on-march-26 | title=Asia Bibi, a new hearing on March 26 | date=14 November 2015 | publisher=Official Vatican Network | access-date=6 December 2015 | archive-date=20 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320203929/http://www.news.va/en/news/asiapakistan-asia-bibi-a-new-hearing-on-march-26 | url-status=live }}</ref> The hearing was rescheduled for 13 October 2016, but on that morning when it was the turn of the case "Asia Bibi against the state", one of the three members of the bench of judges of that section – Iqbal Hameedur Rehman<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://www.news.va/en/news/asiapakistan-the-supreme-court-judge-who-refused-t|title=ASIA/PAKISTAN – The Supreme Court judge, who refused to hear Asia Bibi's death penalty appeal, resigns|website=news.va|language=en|access-date=23 July 2017|archive-date=28 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028094905/http://www.news.va/en/news/asiapakistan-the-supreme-court-judge-who-refused-t|url-status=dead}}</ref> – refused to be part of the bench,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.va/en/news/asiapakistan-the-hearing-of-the-supreme-court-for-|title=ASIA/PAKISTAN – The hearing of the Supreme Court for the case of Asia Bibi postponed|website=news.va|language=en|access-date=23 July 2017|archive-date=28 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028094314/http://www.news.va/en/news/asiapakistan-the-hearing-of-the-supreme-court-for-|url-status=dead}}</ref> which led to the postponement of the hearing to an undetermined date. The Judge later resigned in a handwritten letter addressed to Mamnoon Hussain, the President of Pakistan, without stating any specific reasons for his resignation.<ref name=":1" /> On 26 April 2017, [[Social:Chief Justice of Pakistan|Chief Justice of Pakistan]] (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar declined a request for the early hearing of the case in the first week of June made by her lawyer Saiful Malook.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.va/en/news/pakistan-sc-declines-early-hearing-of-asia-bibi-ca|title=Pakistan SC declines early hearing of Asia Bibi case|website=news.va|language=en|access-date=23 July 2017|archive-date=1 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501185458/http://www.news.va/en/news/pakistan-sc-declines-early-hearing-of-asia-bibi-ca|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Supreme Court acquittal (October 2018)==
[[File:Asia Bibi Lawyer Saif Ul Malook, Asia Bibi's Fight for Justice.webm|thumb|300px|Asia's lawyer Saif Ul Malook spoke about the case at the Secular Conference on 25 November 2018, invited by Maryam Namazie shortly after he fled to the Netherlands.]]
On 8 October 2018, a three-judge bench comprising CJP Mian Saqib Nisar, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and Justice Mazhar Alam reserved its judgement on the final legal appeal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Supreme Court reserves verdict on Asia Bibi's appeal against death sentence. |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/378288 |work=The News International |date=8 October 2018 |access-date=31 October 2018 |archive-date=31 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031173850/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/378288 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 31 October 2018, the Supreme Court in a 56-page detailed judgement authored by Nisar, with a separate concurring opinion note from Khosa, acquitted Asia Bibi of blasphemy charges after accepting her 2015 appeal against her sentence.<ref name="Bhatti">{{cite news |last1=Bhatti |first1=Haseeb |title=SC acquits Asia Bibi, orders immediate release |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1442396/sc-acquits-asia-bibi-orders-immediate-release |work=Dawn |date=31 October 2018 |access-date=31 October 2018 |archive-date=31 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031071743/https://www.dawn.com/news/1442396/sc-acquits-asia-bibi-orders-immediate-release |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Malik |first1=Hasnaat |title=Aasia Bibi acquitted by Supreme Court |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1837746/1/ |work=Express Tribune |date=31 October 2018 |access-date=31 October 2018 |archive-date=31 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031163324/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1837746/1/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="BBC2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46040515|title=Asia Bibi: Pakistan acquits Christian woman on death row|date=31 October 2018|publisher=BBC|language=en|access-date=31 October 2018|archive-date=8 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508171515/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46040515|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Iqbal |first1=Zulqarnain |title=Protests break out after Pakistan's Supreme Court acquits Aasia Bibi |url=https://www.samaa.tv/news/2018/10/pakistans-top-court-to-announce-verdict-on-aasia-bibis-death-penalty-appeal-on-wednesday/ |work=Samaa TV |date=31 October 2018 |access-date=1 November 2018 |archive-date=30 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030205112/https://www.samaa.tv/news/2018/10/pakistans-top-court-to-announce-verdict-on-aasia-bibis-death-penalty-appeal-on-wednesday/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The court also ruled that "she was free to go, if not wanted in connection with any other case".<ref name=BBC2018-10-31/> In his verdict, Khosa noted:<ref name="TNI2018"/>
{{quotation|The statements made by Muhammad Idrees (CW1) and Muhammad Amin Bukhari, SP (Investigation) (PW6) before the trial court revealed that the alleged blasphemy had been committed by the Christian appellant after her Muslim co-workers had insulted the appellant's religion and had injured her religious sensibilities only because she believed in and was a follower of Jesus Christ. According to the Holy Qur'an a Muslim's faith is not complete till he believes in all the Holy Prophets and Messengers of Almighty Allah including Jesus Christ (Isa son of Maryam) (Peace Be Upon Him) and all the revealed Holy Books of Almighty Allah including the Holy Bible. From that perspective insulting the appellant's religion by her Muslim co-workers was no less blasphemous.<ref name="TNI2018"/>}}

The final judgement said that one of Noreen's accusers violated the ''Ashtiname'' of Muhammad, a "covenant made by Muhammad with Christians in the seventh century but still valid today".<ref name="Aqeel2018"/> Khosa also stated that the two women who made accusations against Noreen "had no regard for the truth" and that the claim that she blasphemed Muhammad in public was a "concoction incarnate".<ref name="Barker2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/31/asia-bibi-verdict-pakistan-court-overturns-blasphemy-death-sentence|title=Asia Bibi: Pakistan court overturns blasphemy death sentence: Christian woman to be freed after being sentenced in 2010, accused of insulting prophet Muhammad|last=Barker|first=Memphis|date=31 October 2018|work=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=31 October 2018|quote=Justice Asif Khosa, in a verdict widely praised for its courage and rigour, noted that the two sisters who accused Bibi "had no regard for the truth" and that the claim she smeared the prophet in public was "concoction incarnate".|archive-date=31 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031063425/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/31/asia-bibi-verdict-pakistan-court-overturns-blasphemy-death-sentence|url-status=live}}</ref> The Supreme Court of Pakistan's ruling cited "material contradictions and inconsistent statements of the witnesses" that "cast a shadow of doubt on the prosecution's version of facts."<ref name="Aqeel2018"/>

Upon hearing the news, Asia Bibi exclaimed: "I can't believe what I am hearing, will I go out now? Will they let me out, really? ... I just don't know what to say, I am very happy, I can't believe it."<ref name="AhmedTanveer2018">{{cite news|author=Munir Ahmed and Asim Tanveer|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/christian-woman-acquitted-in-pakistan-to-leave-country/2018/11/01/e0d84df0-dd9a-11e8-8bac-bfe01fcdc3a6_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101092047/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/christian-woman-acquitted-in-pakistan-to-leave-country/2018/11/01/e0d84df0-dd9a-11e8-8bac-bfe01fcdc3a6_story.html|archive-date=1 November 2018|title=Christian woman acquitted in Pakistan to leave country|date=1 November 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en|access-date=1 November 2018|quote=A female commando who is part of a team of police and paramilitary troops deployed to protect Bibi, told The Associated Press that Bibi was reading a Bible when the news about her acquittal was conveyed to her.}}</ref><ref name="TNI2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/387929-asia-bibi-case-justice-asif-saeed-khosas-additional-note|title=Asia Bibi case: Justice Asif Saeed Khosa's additional note|date=31 October 2018|publisher=The News International|language=en|access-date=31 October 2018|archive-date=31 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031111553/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/387929-asia-bibi-case-justice-asif-saeed-khosas-additional-note|url-status=live}}</ref> Noreen's daughter Eisham Ashiq, said that the news of the acquittal was "the most wonderful moment in my life ... I want to hug my mother and then celebrate with my family. I am grateful to God for listening to our prayers."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/31/asia-bibi-verdict-pakistan-court-overturns-blasphemy-death-sentence|title=Asia Bibi: Pakistan court overturns blasphemy death sentence: Christian woman to be freed after being sentenced in 2010, accused of insulting prophet Muhammad|last=Barker|first=Memphis|date=31 October 2018|work=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=31 October 2018|archive-date=31 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031063425/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/31/asia-bibi-verdict-pakistan-court-overturns-blasphemy-death-sentence|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Domestic response and challenge to the acquittal===
In response to the verdict, Islamist groups protested in the streets of Pakistan, "blocking roads and damaging infrastructure".<ref name="Williams2018"/><ref name="2018DW"/><ref name="DW2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/asia-bibis-blasphemy-verdict-islamists-protest-across-pakistan/a-46101210|title=Asia Bibi's blasphemy verdict: Islamists protest across Pakistan|date=31 October 2018|publisher=Deutsche Welle|language=en|access-date=31 October 2018|archive-date=31 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031150615/https://www.dw.com/en/asia-bibis-blasphemy-verdict-islamists-protest-across-pakistan/a-46101210|url-status=live}}</ref> The Supreme Court decision sparked protests in Lahore, [[Place:Islamabad|Islamabad]], [[Place:Karachi|Karachi]], Peshawar<ref>{{cite news |title=Protests erupt in major cities as SC acquits Asia Bibi of blasphemy charges |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/387925 |work=The News International |date=31 October 2018 |access-date=1 November 2018 |archive-date=1 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101175808/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/387925 |url-status=live }}</ref> and Multan. JUI-F chief Fazal-ur-Rehman called for "peaceful" protests, stating that Noreen's release was "not acceptable at any cost". Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi and Jamaat-i-Ahle Hadees also called for protests.<ref>{{cite news |title=Live blog: Protests on Asia Bibi's acquittal |url=https://www.dawn.com/live-blog/ |work=Dawn |access-date=31 October 2018 |archive-date=6 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406022015/https://www.dawn.com/live-blog/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Protesters belonging to the TLP party said traffic will "remain blocked until Asia Bibi is hanged".<ref name="DW2018"/> and Islamabad's main highway was blocked by "approximately a thousand club-wielding demonstrators".<ref name="TNI2018"/> Muhammad Afzal Qadri, a TLP co-founder, also called for the death of the three Supreme Court justices involved in hearing the appeal, stating: "The Chief Justice and two others deserve to be killed ... Either their security guards, their drivers, or their chefs should kill them."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistani-islamists-are-on-the-boil-over-acquittal-of-asia-bibi/articleshow/66463406.cms|title=Pakistani Islamists are on the boil over acquittal of Asia Bibi|author=Omer Farooq Khan|date=1 November 2018|publisher=Times of India|language=en|access-date=1 November 2018|archive-date=3 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103153722/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistani-islamists-are-on-the-boil-over-acquittal-of-asia-bibi/articleshow/66463406.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hashim |first1=Asad |title=Pakistan PM calls for calm after Aasia Bibi cleared of blasphemy |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/pakistan-pm-calls-calm-aasia-bibi-cleared-blasphemy-181031173052989.html |access-date=31 October 2018 |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=31 October 2018 |archive-date=31 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031211950/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/pakistan-pm-calls-calm-aasia-bibi-cleared-blasphemy-181031173052989.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Red Zone of Islamabad was sealed off from the public in order to keep protesters away, with paramilitary forces being deployed to this end.<ref name="BBC2018"/> Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a televised address to the nation on the Asia Bibi verdict, issued a stark warning to the groups that were agitating against the decision. He concluded his address stating, "do not take the state to a point where it has no option but to take action".<ref>{{cite news |title='Do not clash with the state': PM Khan issues stern warning to agitators after Asia Bibi verdict |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1442630 |work=Dawn |date=1 November 2018 |access-date=1 November 2018 |archive-date=1 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101002933/https://www.dawn.com/news/1442630 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Asia Bibi: Imran Khan attacks hardliners over court case |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46048433 |work=BBC |date=31 October 2018 |access-date=1 November 2018 |archive-date=1 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101060726/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46048433 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 1 November, the National Highways and Motorway Police advised commuters to "refrain from travelling on motorways and national highways" on account of "the law & order situation across the country".<ref>{{cite news|title=Live blog: Protests on Asia Bibi's acquittal|url=https://www.dawn.com/live-blog/|work=Dawn|date=1 November 2018|quote=Commuters advised to avoid motorways and national highways<br />The National Highways and Motorway Police has advised commuters to "refrain from travelling on motorways and national highways" on account of "the law & order situation across the country".|access-date=31 October 2018|archive-date=6 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406022015/https://www.dawn.com/live-blog/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Motorway Police tweet, 5:13 AM – 1 Nov 2018|url=https://twitter.com/motorwaypolice1/status/1057968904805539840|work=Twitter|date=1 November 2018|quote=Dear Citizens, Keeping in view the law & order situation across the country, please refrain from travelling on Motorways and National Highways. For updated information regarding travel advisory please visit <nowiki>http://nhmp.gov.pk/TravelAdvisory.html</nowiki> … … … Stay tuned for more updates.".|access-date=1 November 2018|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308032016/https://twitter.com/motorwaypolice1/status/1057968904805539840|url-status=live}}</ref> Christian schools in Lahore "closed indefinitely" for safety reasons following the protests.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://asianews.it/news-en/Protests-break-out-following-Asia-Bibi%E2%80%99s-acquittal.-Christian-schools-close-indefinitely-in-Lahore-45360.html|title=Protests break out following Asia Bibi's acquittal. Christian schools close indefinitely in Lahore|last=Chaudhry|first=Kamran|date=31 October 2018|publisher=AsiaNews|language=en|access-date=31 October 2018|quote=As a result, in Lahore, Church authorities ordered the indefinite closure of Christian schools and asked parents to come and take their children home. Likewise, "Schools will remain closed till further notice," said a sign at St Peter's High School, which is run by the Diocese of Raiwind of the Church of Pakistan.|archive-date=31 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031201914/http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Protests-break-out-following-Asia-Bibi%E2%80%99s-acquittal.-Christian-schools-close-indefinitely-in-Lahore-45360.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The government of Pakistan also shut down mobile phone networks on 2 November.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/asia-bibi-case-protests-pakistan-christian-woman-blasphemy-release-supreme-court-a8614806.html|title=Asia Bibi: Protests stop Christian woman leaving Pakistan three days after court overturns blasphemy charge|last=Osborne|first=Samuel|date=2 November 2018|work=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2 November 2018|quote=Pakistan suspended mobile phone networks in major cities on Friday, and many schools were shut down as Islamist groups protested for the third day.|archive-date=2 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181102224045/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/asia-bibi-case-protests-pakistan-christian-woman-blasphemy-release-supreme-court-a8614806.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Before the announcement of the acquittal on 31 October, Christians in Pakistan fasted and prayed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/31/asia-bibi-verdict-pakistan-court-overturns-blasphemy-death-sentence|title=Asia Bibi: Pakistan court overturns blasphemy death sentence|last=Barker|first=Memphis|date=31 October 2018|work=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=31 October 2018|quote=In February, Pope Francis met Ashiq at the Vatican, and Pakistan's small Christian minority held fasts and prayer sessions before the verdict.|archive-date=31 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031063425/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/31/asia-bibi-verdict-pakistan-court-overturns-blasphemy-death-sentence|url-status=live}}</ref> Cardinal Joseph Coutts, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Karachi, prayed that "there may not be a violent reaction from the extremists".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2018/10/31/pakistani-christians-fear-violence-after-asia-bibis-blasphemy-death-sentence|title=Pakistani Christians fear violence after Asia Bibi's blasphemy death sentence is overturned|author=Gerard O'Connell|date=31 October 2018|publisher=America Magazine|language=en|access-date=1 November 2018|archive-date=31 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031171451/https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2018/10/31/pakistani-christians-fear-violence-after-asia-bibis-blasphemy-death-sentence|url-status=live}}</ref>

Saif-ul-Mulook, the lawyer who defended Asia Noreen, states that "his life has not been the same since; he rarely socialises, lives in a constant state of hypervigilance and has been inundated with threats."<ref name="SCMP2018"/> The ''South China Morning Post'' and ''Christian Today'' reported that he is now an "easy target" for extremists.<ref name="Lodge2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.christiantoday.com/article/final-hearing-for-asia-bibi-will-pakistani-christian-woman-be-hanged-for-blasphemy/97594.htm|title=Final Hearing For Asia Bibi: Will Pakistani Christian Woman Be Hanged For Blasphemy?|date=10 October 2018|publisher=Christian Today|language=en|access-date=1 November 2018|quote=Two prominent politicians, governor of Punjab Salmaan Taseer and minority affairs minister Shahbaz Bhatti, were assassinated in 2011 after defending Bibi. Her lawyer, Saiful Malook, is a Muslim who claims that Pakistani officials have been influenced by religious hardliners. He has also been targeted by Islamic fundamentalists.|archive-date=4 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104010037/https://www.christiantoday.com/article/final-hearing-for-asia-bibi-will-pakistani-christian-woman-be-hanged-for-blasphemy/97594.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SCMP2018"/> On 3 November 2018, he was reported as "having fled" the country,<ref>{{cite news |title=Asia Bibi: Lawyer flees Pakistan in fear of his life |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/asia-bibis-lawyer-saiful-mulook-leaves-pakistan-for-netherlands-1943251 |access-date=3 November 2018 |work=BBC News |date=3 November 2018 |archive-date=5 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105202812/https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/asia-bibis-lawyer-saiful-mulook-leaves-pakistan-for-netherlands-1943251 |url-status=live }}</ref> to the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite news |title=Asia Bibi: Lawyer flees Pakistan in fear of his life |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/asia-bibis-lawyer-saiful-mulook-leaves-pakistan-for-netherlands-1943251 |access-date=5 November 2018 |publisher=NDTV |date=5 November 2018 |archive-date=5 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105202812/https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/asia-bibis-lawyer-saiful-mulook-leaves-pakistan-for-netherlands-1943251 |url-status=live }}</ref> Saif-ul-Mulook maintains that the {{wipe|United Nations}} "kept me for three days and then put me on a plane against my wishes" as he "refused to leave the country without ensuring that his client was out of prison."<ref>{{cite news|title=UN denies forcing Asia Bibi lawyer to leave|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/390506-un-denies-forcing-asia-bibi-lawyer-to-leave|access-date=6 November 2018|publisher=The International News|date=6 November 2018|archive-date=6 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106214311/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/390506-un-denies-forcing-asia-bibi-lawyer-to-leave|url-status=live}}</ref>

Religious hardliners petitioned to overturn the acquittal.<ref name=BBCacquit/>

===International response===
The decision was praised by human rights groups and organizations advocating for persecuted Christians, such as International Christian Concern, Open Doors, and Aid to the Church in Need.<ref name="SaifiGriffiths2018"/> CEO of Open Doors David Curry, said: "We are breathing a sigh of relief today ... as these charges stemmed from her Christian identity as well as false accusations against her. We are hopeful that Pakistan will now take additional steps to offer religious freedom and basic human rights throughout the country."<ref name="Aqeel2018"/> Omar Waraich, Amnesty International's Deputy South Asia Director, described the ruling as a "landmark verdict".<ref name="Bhatti"/> Neville Kyrke-Smith of Aid to the Church in Need proclaimed with respect to Noreen's acquittal: "Today is like the dawn of new hope for oppressed minorities."<ref name="Sherwood2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/31/quashing-of-asia-bibis-blasphemy-charge-will-not-end-her-suffering|title=Quashing of Asia Bibi's blasphemy charge will not end her suffering|last=Sherwood|first=Harriet|date=31 October 2018|work=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=31 October 2018|archive-date=8 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508103923/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/31/quashing-of-asia-bibis-blasphemy-charge-will-not-end-her-suffering|url-status=live}}</ref> The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan issued a statement on 1 November welcoming the acquittal, stating that "From a human rights perspective, the Supreme Court's detailed judgement underlines several of the most problematic aspects of applying the blasphemy laws. The presumption of innocence is too easily buried by moral outrage, which invariably pits the vulnerable and underprivileged against those in majority."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/388382-hrcp-welcomes-landmark-asia-bibi-verdict|title=HRCP welcomes landmark Asia Bibi verdict|date=1 November 2018|publisher=The International News|language=en|access-date=1 November 2018|archive-date=1 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101200449/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/388382-hrcp-welcomes-landmark-asia-bibi-verdict|url-status=live}}</ref>

Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, "received with joy" news of the acquittal, stating: "We celebrate her acquittal and release together with her, her family and community ... The WCC has repeatedly called for justice for Asia Bibi, convicted 8 years ago on charges resulting from a village argument in which she was accused by her neighbours of blasphemy. ... WCC therefore appeals once again to the Government of Pakistan to review its blasphemy laws, to curb their abuse, and to eliminate discriminatory bias against religious minorities."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/wcc-receives-with-joy-verdict-which-resolves-case-of-asia-bibi|title=WCC "receives with joy" verdict which resolves case of Asia Bibi|date=1 November 2018|publisher=World Council of Churches|language=en|access-date=1 November 2018|archive-date=17 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117063230/https://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/wcc-receives-with-joy-verdict-which-resolves-case-of-asia-bibi|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{flag|United Nations}}: UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said that because of the organization's long-standing opposition to the death penalty, it "would welcome this latest development".<ref>{{cite web |title=Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 31 October 2018 |url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/db181031.doc.htm |publisher=United Nations |access-date=3 November 2018 |archive-date=4 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104050140/https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/db181031.doc.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/388040-un-welcomes-scs-ruling-to-overturn-asia-bibis-death-sentence|title=UN welcomes SC's ruling to overturn Asia Bibi's death sentence|date=1 November 2018|publisher=The International News|language=en|access-date=1 November 2018|archive-date=1 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101045529/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/388040-un-welcomes-scs-ruling-to-overturn-asia-bibis-death-sentence|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{flag|United Kingdom}}: Theresa May, the prime minister of the United Kingdom, stated that "the news would be welcomed around the world, and the UK was committed to the global abolition of the death penalty."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-politics-46045217/pmqs-theresa-may-is-asked-about-asia-bibi-case-in-pakistan|title=PMQs: Theresa May is asked about Asia Bibi case in Pakistan|date=31 October 2018|publisher=BBC|language=en|access-date=31 October 2018|archive-date=1 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101015549/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-politics-46045217/pmqs-theresa-may-is-asked-about-asia-bibi-case-in-pakistan|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the British Pakistani Christian Association, Noreen appealed to Britain for asylum but was denied because her presence in the country might stir unrest among "certain sections of the population".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/britain-not-prepared-to-offer-asylum-to-persecuted-pakistani-christian_uk_5be3342be4b0dbe871a61b95|title=UK 'Won't Offer Asylum To Asia Bibi Amid 'Security Concerns'|date=2018-11-09|work=HuffPost UK|access-date=2018-11-17|language=en-GB|archive-date=10 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110113523/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/britain-not-prepared-to-offer-asylum-to-persecuted-pakistani-christian_uk_5be3342be4b0dbe871a61b95|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{flag|United States}}: Tenzin Dorjee, chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), lauded the ruling, saying: "The case of Asia Bibi illustrates the extent to which blasphemy laws can be exploited to target minority communities. These laws seek to protect entire religions rather than the individual, as should be the case under international human rights standards. It is deeply troubling that Bibi's case even reached this level, where she almost became the first person in Pakistan's history to be executed for the crime of blasphemy."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uscirf.gov/news-room/press-releases-statements/uscirf-welcomes-pakistani-supreme-court-s-decision-overturn|title=USCIRF Welcomes Pakistani Supreme Court's Decision to Overturn Death Sentence Against Asia Bibi|date=31 October 2018|publisher=United States Commission on International Religious Freedom|language=en|access-date=1 November 2018|archive-date=31 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031172840/https://www.uscirf.gov/news-room/press-releases-statements/uscirf-welcomes-pakistani-supreme-court-s-decision-overturn|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{flag|France}}: Marine Le Pen, president of the National Rally in France called on her government to grant Asia Noreen asylum.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/2018/10/31/asia-bibi-libre-marine-le-pen-demande-lasile-en-france-pour-elle-et-sa-famille_a_23576951/|title=Asia Bibi libre, Marine Le Pen demande l'asile en France pour elle et sa famille|author=Claire Terv|date=31 October 2018|publisher=Huffington Post|language=fr|access-date=1 November 2018|quote=Il faut lui accorder l'asile, à elle et à sa famille. MLP #AsiaBibi|archive-date=31 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031201003/https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/2018/10/31/asia-bibi-libre-marine-le-pen-demande-lasile-en-france-pour-elle-et-sa-famille_a_23576951/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The European branch of the American Center for Law and Justice lauded the ruling as well, and advocated the "abolition of the crime of blasphemy in Pakistan".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eclj.org/geopolitics/un/asia-bibi-is-free|title=Asia Bibi is Free|date=31 October 2018|publisher=European Centre for Law and Justice|language=en|access-date=1 November 2018|archive-date=17 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117022326/https://eclj.org/geopolitics/un/asia-bibi-is-free|url-status=live}}</ref>

Several countries, including France and Spain, have offered Asia Noreen asylum.<ref name="BBC2018"/><ref name="SCMP2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/2171192/pakistani-lawyer-now-easy-target-extremists-after-helping-asia|title=Pakistani lawyer is now an 'easy target' for extremists after helping Asia Bibi escape execution for blasphemy|date=1 November 2018|publisher=South China Morning Post|language=en|access-date=1 November 2018|archive-date=1 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101061413/https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/2171192/pakistani-lawyer-now-easy-target-extremists-after-helping-asia|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Bar from leaving Pakistan (November 2018)==
On 2 November 2018, the Government of Pakistan under the administration of Imran Khan and the Islamist Tehreek-e-Labbaik political party, which encouraged the protests against Noreen, came to an agreement that barred her from leaving the country, in addition to releasing Tehreek-e-Labbaik protesters.<ref name="Farmer2018"/><ref name="Stubley2018"/><ref name="N182018"/><ref name="RP2018"/><ref name="AhmadMasood2018"/> Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, the religious affairs minister, and Muhammad Basharat Raja, Punjab's minister for law, signed the agreement on behalf of the government.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan strikes deal to end protests over Asia Bibi blasphemy case |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/03/asia/pakistan-asia-bibi-blasphemy-intl/index.html |work=CNN |date=3 November 2018 |access-date=4 November 2018 |archive-date=4 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104170204/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/03/asia/pakistan-asia-bibi-blasphemy-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bilal |first1=Rana |title=Government, TLP reach agreement; state to take legal measures to place Asia Bibi's name on ECL |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1443123/government-tlp-reach-agreement-state-to-take-legal-measures-to-place-asia-bibis-name-on-ecl |work=Dawn |date=2 November 2018 |access-date=4 November 2018 |archive-date=4 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104211125/https://www.dawn.com/news/1443123/government-tlp-reach-agreement-state-to-take-legal-measures-to-place-asia-bibis-name-on-ecl |url-status=live }}</ref> The deal included expediting a motion in the court to place Asia Noreen on Pakistan's no fly list, known officially as the Exit Control List (ECL).<ref name="Stubley2018"/><ref name="Farmer2018"/> Pakistani authorities would not release Asia Noreen until the "Supreme Court makes a final review of its verdict" as "Ghulam Mustafa, the lawyer representing a provincial cleric in Punjab who had filed the initial blasphemy charges against Noreen, petitioned the Supreme Court requesting that the judges review her acquittal."<ref name="Karim2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/asia-bibi-christian-pakistan-blasphemy-barred-from-leaving-acquittal/|title=Pakistan delays release of Christian woman after blasphemy acquittal|date=2 November 2018|publisher=CBN News|language=en|access-date=2 November 2018|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430134934/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/asia-bibi-christian-pakistan-blasphemy-barred-from-leaving-acquittal/|url-status=live}}</ref> Similar reviews have taken years to process.<ref name="Farmer2018"/> The TLP agreed to end its three-day protest sit-ins across the country and its leaders asked the protesters to disperse peacefully.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Malik |first1=Mansoor |title=TLP ends protest after deal with government |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1443244/tlp-ends-protest-after-deal-with-government |work=Dawn |date=3 November 2018 |access-date=4 November 2018 |archive-date=4 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104211051/https://www.dawn.com/news/1443244/tlp-ends-protest-after-deal-with-government |url-status=live }}</ref>

A plane from the {{wipe|United Kingdom}} reportedly arrived to pick up Asia Noreen after her acquittal, but returned without her, as the Pakistani government then still had her under detention as a result of the agreement with Tehreek-e-Labbaik.<ref name="CIC2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.churchinchains.ie/news-by-country/south-asia/pakistan/pakistan-asia-bibi-barred-from-leaving-country/|title=PAKISTAN: Asia Bibi barred from leaving country|date=3 November 2018|publisher=Church in Chains|language=en|access-date=3 November 2018|archive-date=4 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104170006/https://www.churchinchains.ie/news-by-country/south-asia/pakistan/pakistan-asia-bibi-barred-from-leaving-country/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Wilson Chowdhry, chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA), stated that "placing Asia Bibi on the ECL is like signing her death warrant" and Sardar Mushtaq Gill, head of the Legal Evangelical Association Development (LEAD), attributed the government's reluctance to act both to fear of hardliners' response and to sentiment within its own ranks.<ref name="2018Smith">{{cite web|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/asia-bibis-release-delayed-supreme-court-review-acquittal-decision-muslims-protest-228335/|title=Asia Bibi's Release Delayed; Supreme Court to Review Acquittal Decision as Muslims Protest|date=2 November 2018|publisher=[[Religion:The Christian Post|The Christian Post]]|language=en|access-date=2 November 2018|archive-date=6 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006151709/https://www.christianpost.com/news/asia-bibis-release-delayed-supreme-court-review-acquittal-decision-muslims-protest-228335/|url-status=live}}</ref>

This agreement between the Government of Pakistan and Tehreek-e-Labbaik led to "allegations [that] the government was capitulating to extremists".<ref name="2018BBC"/> Pakistani Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry responded to these allegations, saying that "We had two options; either to use force, and when you use force people can be killed, and that is not something a state should do, or second, we tried negotiations and (in) negotiations you take something and you leave something."<ref name="2018BBC"/>

Asia Noreen's lawyer Saif-ul-Mulook called the agreement between the Government of Pakistan and the Islamists "painful", stating that "They cannot even implement an order of the country's highest court".<ref name="Mulook2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46082324|title=Asia Bibi: Lawyer flees Pakistan in fear of his life|date=3 November 2018|publisher=BBC|language=en|access-date=2 November 2018|archive-date=3 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103200419/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46082324|url-status=live}}</ref> Feeling that his life was threatened, Mulook fled to Europe in order "to stay alive as I still have to fight the legal battle for Asia Bibi".<ref name="Mulook2018"/> BPCA chairman Wilson Chowdhry likewise stated that "I am not surprised that Imran Khan's regime has caved in to extremists".<ref name="Stubley2018"/> Jemima Goldsmith, an ex-wife of Imran Khan, similarly "said that Pakistan's government caved in to extremist demands to bar Asia Bibi from leaving the country", opining: "Not the Naya Pakistan we'd hoped for. 3 days after a defiant & brave speech defending the judiciary, Pakistan's government caves in to extremist demands to bar Asia Bibi from leaving Pakistan, after she was acquitted of blasphemy – effectively signing her death warrant."<ref name="Goldsmith2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/389575-jemima-says-pakistans-govt-caves-in-to-extremist-demands-to-bar-asia-bibi-from-leaving|title=Jemima says Pakistan's govt caves in to extremist demands to bar Asia Bibi from leaving|date=4 November 2018|publisher=The International News|language=en|access-date=4 November 2018|archive-date=4 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104023057/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/389575-jemima-says-pakistans-govt-caves-in-to-extremist-demands-to-bar-asia-bibi-from-leaving|url-status=live}}</ref>

Ashiq Masih, Noreen's husband, appealed to US president Donald Trump, as well as British prime minister Theresa May and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, to "help the family leave the country" and grant them asylum.<ref name="Shams2018">{{cite web|author=Shamil Shams|url=https://www.dw.com/en/asia-bibis-husband-ashiq-masih-appeals-to-us-president-donald-trump-for-asylum/a-46149151|title=Asia Bibi's husband, Ashiq Masih, appeals to US President Donald Trump for asylum|date=4 November 2018|publisher=Deutsche Welle|language=en|access-date=4 November 2018|archive-date=4 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104154304/https://www.dw.com/en/asia-bibis-husband-ashiq-masih-appeals-to-us-president-donald-trump-for-asylum/a-46149151|url-status=live}}</ref> He told the charity Aid to the Church in Need, an organisation that aids persecuted Christians: "Help us get out of Pakistan. We are extremely worried because our lives are in danger. We no longer have even anything to eat, because we cannot leave the house to buy food".<ref name="Zaimov2018">{{cite web|author=Stoyan Zaimov|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/asia-bibis-shattered-family-begs-for-help-have-nothing-to-eat-christian-mother-still-jailed-228392/|title=Asia Bibi's 'Shattered' Family Begs for Help, Has 'Nothing to Eat;' Christian Mother Still Jailed|date=7 November 2018|publisher=[[Religion:The Christian Post|The Christian Post]]|language=en|access-date=7 November 2018|archive-date=8 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108065338/https://www.christianpost.com/news/asia-bibis-shattered-family-begs-for-help-have-nothing-to-eat-christian-mother-still-jailed-228392/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 7 November 2018, a release order arrived at the New Jail for Women, in which Noreen was incarcerated in Multan.<ref name="Zulqernain2018"/><ref name="GN2018">{{cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/news/asia/pakistan/pakistan-s-asia-bibi-freed-from-jail-lawyer-1.2298931|title=Pakistan's Asia Bibi freed from jail: lawyer|date=7 November 2018|publisher=Gulf News|language=en|access-date=7 November 2018|quote=A release order arrived Wednesday at the prison in the central city of Multan, where Bibi was detained, a prison official told AFP.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107205043/https://gulfnews.com/news/asia/pakistan/pakistan-s-asia-bibi-freed-from-jail-lawyer-1.2298931|archive-date=7 November 2018}}</ref> Local news reported that she had been flown to PAF Base Nur Khan and would depart the country on a charter plane to the Netherlands.<ref name="Zulqernain2018">{{cite web|last=Zulqernain|first=M|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/asia-bibi-released-from-jail-to-be-shifted-to-the-netherlands-report/1417421|date=7 November 2018|publisher=Outlook|title=Asia Bibi released from jail, to be shifted to the Netherlands|language=en|access-date=7 November 2018|archive-date=8 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108025755/https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/asia-bibi-released-from-jail-to-be-shifted-to-the-netherlands-report/1417421|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied the media reports that she had left Pakistan, stating that she was "in a safe place in Pakistan".<ref name="Constable2018">{{cite news|last=Constable|first=Pamela|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/secret-airlift-of-christian-woman-acquitted-of-blasphemy-roils-pakistan/2018/11/08/b4403a96-e353-11e8-b759-3d88a5ce9e19_story.html|date=8 November 2018|newspaper=Washington Post|title=Release of Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy roils Pakistan|language=en|access-date=8 November 2018|archive-date=8 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108153856/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/secret-airlift-of-christian-woman-acquitted-of-blasphemy-roils-pakistan/2018/11/08/b4403a96-e353-11e8-b759-3d88a5ce9e19_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NYT20181108">{{cite news |title=Pakistani Christian Freed After Being Cleared in Blasphemy Case |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/08/world/asia/asia-bibi-pakistan-blasphemy-released-prison.html |access-date=8 November 2018 |work=New York Times |date=8 November 2018 |language=en |archive-date=8 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108083140/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/08/world/asia/asia-bibi-pakistan-blasphemy-released-prison.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="2018Sherwood">{{cite web|title=Pakistan blasphemy case: Asia Bibi freed from jail|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/07/pakistan-blasphemy-case-christian-farm-labourer-asia-bibi-still-in-jail|date=7 November 2018|work=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=7 November 2018|archive-date=7 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107161030/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/07/pakistan-blasphemy-case-christian-farm-labourer-asia-bibi-still-in-jail|url-status=live}}</ref>

Hafiz Shahbaz Attari of the Islamist political party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), upon hearing the news, said that TLP members would gather in [[Place:Islamabad|Islamabad]] and [[Place:Rawalpindi|Rawalpindi]] and try to prevent her departure.<ref name="Zulqernain2018"/> Another TLP leader Afzal Qadri, stated that "officials told the group that Noreen would not be allowed to leave until the Supreme Court ruled on their appeal of her acquittal".<ref name="Constable2018"/>

British member of Parliament Mike Gapes, then of the Labour and Co-operative Party, suggested in November 2018 that the UK should reassess their relationship with Pakistan,<ref name="Wintour2018">{{cite web |last1=Wintour |first1=Patrick |title=Foreign Office 'allowed Pakistan mob to dictate Asia Bibi asylum case' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/nov/13/asia-bibi-foreign-office-accused-of-allowing-pakistan-mob-to-dictate-asia-bibi-asylum-case |work=The Guardian |access-date=16 November 2018 |date=13 November 2018 |archive-date=15 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115225948/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/nov/13/asia-bibi-foreign-office-accused-of-allowing-pakistan-mob-to-dictate-asia-bibi-asylum-case |url-status=live }}</ref> and Rehman Chishti resigned as Britain's trade envoy to Pakistan in the same month, partially in protest to the government's refusal to offer Noreen asylum.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2018/30-november/news/world/asia-bibi-shunned-by-uk-officials-says-conservative-mp|title=Asia Bibi 'shunned' by UK officials, says Conservative MP|website=churchtimes.co.uk|access-date=2019-03-13|archive-date=24 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524232804/https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2018/30-november/news/world/asia-bibi-shunned-by-uk-officials-says-conservative-mp|url-status=live}}</ref> US senator Rand Paul spoke to President Donald Trump about securing asylum for Noreen in that nation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sadiq |first1=Alena |title=Sen. Paul says he spoke to Trump about securing asylum for Pakistani Christian woman |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/15/rand-paul-asia-bibi-asylum-994435 |publisher=Politico |access-date=16 November 2018 |date=15 November 2018 |archive-date=16 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116030747/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/15/rand-paul-asia-bibi-asylum-994435 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Noreen was reported to have spent Christmas 2018 in custody.<ref name="2018NDTV"/><ref name="SBS2018"/> Joseph Nadeem, the man guarding her husband and family, said that Islamists had fired at the gate of their home and that they had to move five times in order to evade them.<ref name="Maule2018">{{cite web |last1=Maule |first1=Will |title='Light Will Always Break Through the Darkness': President Trump's Hanukkah Message to Jews Around the World |url=http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/cwn/2018/december/light-will-always-break-through-the-darkness-president-trump-s-hanukkah-message-to-jews-around-the-world-nbsp |publisher=CBN News |language=en |date=8 December 2018 |access-date=27 December 2018 |archive-date=27 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227133204/http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/cwn/2018/december/light-will-always-break-through-the-darkness-president-trump-s-hanukkah-message-to-jews-around-the-world-nbsp |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== International reaction and response ===

{{flag|EU}}: Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament, stated: "The European Parliament is extremely concerned for your safety as well as your family's, due to the violence by extremist elements in Pakistan." Tajani sent a letter to Noreen's husband, inviting his family to "Brussels or Strasbourg for a meeting about how I can concretely facilitate the release of your wife, Asia Bibi".<ref name="EF2018">{{cite web|url=http://evangelicalfocus.com/europe/3975/EU_commits_to_facilitate_the_release_of_Asia_Bibi|title=EU commits to "facilitate the release of Asia Bibi"|date=7 November 2018|publisher=Evangelical Focus|language=en|access-date=7 November 2018|archive-date=8 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108025913/http://evangelicalfocus.com/europe/3975/EU_commits_to_facilitate_the_release_of_Asia_Bibi|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{flag|Italy}}: Matteo Salvini, Deputy Prime Minister, stated: "I want women and children whose lives are at risk to be able to have a secure future, in our country or in other Western countries, so I will do everything humanly possible to guarantee that [for Bibi] ... It is not permissible that in 2018 someone can risk losing their life for a ... hypothesis of blasphemy".<ref name="TET2018">{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1842284/1-canada-italy-urge-pakistan-ensure-aasia-bibis-well/|title=Canada, Italy urge Pakistan to ensure Aasia Bibi's well-being|date=7 November 2018|publisher=The Express Tribune|language=en|access-date=7 November 2018|archive-date=12 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212165735/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1842284/1-canada-italy-urge-pakistan-ensure-aasia-bibis-well/|url-status=live}}</ref> Salvini further stated that "Italy had nothing against the Pakistani government" but that the "enemy is violence, extremism and fanaticism".<ref name="TET2018"/><ref name="RFE2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/italy-working-find-safe-home-west-for-pakistani-christian-woman-bibi/29586831.html|title=Italy Working To Find Safe Home In West For Pakistani Christian Woman|date=7 November 2018|publisher=Radio Free Europe|language=en|access-date=7 November 2018|archive-date=7 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107053935/https://www.rferl.org/a/italy-working-find-safe-home-west-for-pakistani-christian-woman-bibi/29586831.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{flag|Canada}}: Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated" "It's a very important issue, a central priority for our government ... Canada calls on Pakistan to take all measures necessary to ensure the safety and security of Asia Bibi and her family ... Canada is prepared to do everything we can and is extremely engaged in this issue."<ref name="TET2018"/>

{{flag|Australia}}: Peter Dutton, Minister for Home Affairs, said that Australia will offer asylum to Noreen.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bolt |first1=Andrew |title=Australia to Offer Asylum to Asia Bibi |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/blogs/andrew-bolt/australia-to-offer-asylum-to-asia-bibi/news-story/63ae94efa22a246be4cf7650596afbf4 |publisher=Herald Sun |date=22 November 2018 |access-date=26 November 2018 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404171730/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/blogs/andrew-bolt/australia-to-offer-asylum-to-asia-bibi/news-story/63ae94efa22a246be4cf7650596afbf4 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Acquittal upheld (January 2019)==
On 29 January 2019, Pakistan's Supreme Court upheld the acquittal on blasphemy charges and ruled that she was now free to leave Pakistan, where she was facing death threats, and join members of her family who were (according to unconfirmed reports) already abroad.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kathy Gannon|url=https://www.apnews.com/3cf437e7f39845a0ba3a8275991eba77/|title=Pakistan upholds acquittal of woman in blasphemy case|date=Jan 29, 2019|quote="I am really grateful to everybody. Now after nine years it is confirmed that I am free and I will be going to hug my daughters," he quoted Bibi|publisher=Associated Press|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190129042536/https://www.apnews.com/3cf437e7f39845a0ba3a8275991eba77|archive-date=29 January 2019|url-status=live|access-date=25 April 2019}}</ref> Violent protests erupted across Pakistan, demanding the execution of the judge and Noreen. While her lawyer, who escaped to Germany, said that Noreen was in Canada, others allege that she was being held in a secret location in Islamabad and that it is not clear when she would leave or where she would go.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/29/asia-bibi-pakistans-top-court-upholds-blasphemy-acquittal|title=Asia Bibi: Pakistan's top court upholds blasphemy acquittal|last=Sherwood|first=Harriet|date=2019-01-29|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-01-29|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=29 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129130621/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/29/asia-bibi-pakistans-top-court-upholds-blasphemy-acquittal|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=BBCacquit>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-47040847|title=Asia Bibi blasphemy acquittal upheld by Pakistan court|date=29 January 2019|access-date=30 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129151956/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-47040847|archive-date=29 January 2019|work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Graham-Harrison |first1=Emma |title=Asia Bibi: Pakistani authorities barring her from leaving, friend says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/09/asia-bibi-pakistani-authorities-barring-her-from-leaving-friend-says |access-date=10 February 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=9 February 2019 |archive-date=9 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209235147/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/09/asia-bibi-pakistani-authorities-barring-her-from-leaving-friend-says |url-status=live }}</ref>

France, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and Australia were among the countries who offered her asylum.<ref name="Bassey2019">{{cite web |last1=Bassey |first1=Amardeep |title=Pakistani Who Was On Death Row For Blasphemy Headed To Canada: Friend |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2019/01/29/trudeau-asylum-asia-bibi_a_23656072/ |work=The Huffington Post |language=en |date=29 January 2019 |access-date=30 January 2019 |archive-date=30 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130220718/https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2019/01/29/trudeau-asylum-asia-bibi_a_23656072/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the Pakistani city of Faizabad, fifty-five people were arrested during a protest of the decision to uphold the Supreme Court's acquittal decision.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Asia Bibi case in Faizabad protest|url=http://www.uniindia.com/~/asia-bibi-case-55-held-during-faizabad-protest-in-pakistan/World/news/1483564.html|website=World News|access-date=30 January 2019|archive-date=30 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130220748/http://www.uniindia.com/~/asia-bibi-case-55-held-during-faizabad-protest-in-pakistan/World/news/1483564.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Present status ==

On 8 May 2019, Noreen arrived in Canada, where she was reunited with her family who had previously arrived in the country before her.<ref>{{cite web |title=Asia Bibi arrives in Canada after leaving Pakistan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/08/asia-bibi-arrives-in-canada-after-leaving-pakistan |work=The Guardian |access-date=8 May 2019 |date=8 May 2019 |archive-date=8 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508081019/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/08/asia-bibi-arrives-in-canada-after-leaving-pakistan |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48198340|title=Asia Bibi flees Pakistan to safety|work=BBC News|date=8 May 2019|access-date=8 May 2019|archive-date=6 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506114228/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48198340|url-status=live}}</ref> International Christian Concern, an organisation long advocating for her release, released a statement saying that "Our prayers are now with Asia and her family as they seek peace and security in a new country".<ref name="SangMcKay"/> In 2020, she claimed asylum in France.<ref name="france">{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/28/asia-bibi-pakistani-woman-jailed-for-blasphemy-claims-asylum-in-france |title=Asia Bibi: Pakistani Woman Jailed for Blasphemy Claims Asylum in France |last=Henley |first=Jon |work={{wipe|The Guardian}} |date=28 February 2020 |access-date=28 February 2020 |archive-date=28 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228212802/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/28/asia-bibi-pakistani-woman-jailed-for-blasphemy-claims-asylum-in-france |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2020, Asia Bibi was interviewed by Open Doors in Paris, where she shared her feelings about her life and how her Christian faith helped her through her imprisonment that was a result of a false accusation.<ref name="BibiKenna2020">{{cite web |last1=Bibi |first1=Asia |last2=Kenna |first2=Robert |title=Special meeting with Asia Bibi: 'God is with you in the exact way He is with me' |url=https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/stories/special-meeting-with-asia-bibi-god-is-with-you-in-the-exact-way-he-is-with-me/ |publisher=Open Doors |access-date=29 February 2020 |language=en |date=28 February 2020 |archive-date=29 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229010054/https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/stories/special-meeting-with-asia-bibi-god-is-with-you-in-the-exact-way-he-is-with-me/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

A Barelvi mosque was built in 2014 in [[Place:Islamabad|Islamabad]] named after Mumtaz Qadri, who assassinated the Punjab governor Salman Taseer for defending Noreen.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Jon Boone |title=Pakistan mosque built to honour politician's killer to double in size |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/30/pakistan-mosque-killer-mumtaz-qadri-salaman-taseer |website={{wipe|The Guardian}} |access-date=29 February 2016 |date=30 April 2014 |archive-date=22 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922133021/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/30/pakistan-mosque-killer-mumtaz-qadri-salaman-taseer |url-status=live }}</ref> Qadri was convicted by the Islamabad High Court, sentenced to death and hanged in February 2016.

==Memoirs==
French journalist {{Interlanguage link multi|Anne-Isabelle Tollet|fr}} assisted Noreen in writing a memoir titled ''[[Religion:Blasphemy: A Memoir|Blasphemy: A Memoir: Sentenced to Death over a Cup of Water]]'' (2013, {{ISBN|1613748892}}).<ref name=CT/> Noreen is illiterate, and Tollet was unable to visit her directly due to prison restrictions. She conducted interviews through Noreen's husband, who passed questions and answers between them. Tollet also met other members of Noreen's family, including her children and sister, and had known Shahbaz Bhatti before his assassination.<ref name=CT/> In August 2020, she distanced herself from the memoir, stating that she was not involved in its planning, did not recognize the story as hers, and did not agree with its conclusions regarding Pakistani law.<ref>{{Citation|title=آزاد تو ہوں لیکن مکمل آزاد نہیں: آسیہ بی بی|date=September 2020 |url=https://www.urduvoa.com/a/asia-bibi-interview-31aug2020/5564633.html|language=ur|access-date=2020-09-03|archive-date=12 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912204323/https://www.urduvoa.com/a/asia-bibi-interview-31aug2020/5564633.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2015, Polish filmmakers, inspired by the memoir, produced the film ''Uwolnić Asię Bibi'' ('''Freedom for Asia Bibi''{{'}}).<ref name="FW2015">{{cite web|url=https://www.filmweb.pl/film/Uwolni%C4%87+Asi%C4%99+Bibi-2015-742978|title=Uwolnić Asię Bibi|year=2015|publisher=Film Web|language=pl|access-date=1 November 2018|archive-date=27 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527012441/https://www.filmweb.pl/film/Uwolni%C4%87+Asi%C4%99+Bibi-2015-742978|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Christianity|Pakistan|Law
}} 
*Persecution of Christians 
**Persecution of Christians in Pakistan
*Human rights in Pakistan
*Persecution of Hindus in Pakistan
*Mariam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag
*List of Christian human rights NGOs

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last=Allen |first=John L. | title=The Global War on Christians: Dispatches from the Front Lines of Anti-Christian Persecution |publisher=Random House LLC |year=2013 |isbn=978-0770437367}}
*{{cite book |last=Hughes |first=Geraint |title=My Enemy's Enemy: Proxy Warfare in International Politics |publisher=Apollo Books |year=2012 |isbn=978-1845194499}}
*{{cite book |last=Marshall |first=Paul |title=Persecuted: The Global Assault on Christians |publisher=Thomas Nelson Inc. |year=2013 |isbn=978-1400204427}}
*{{cite book |last=El Shafie |first=Majed | title=Freedom Fighter: One Man's Fight for One Free World |publisher=Destiny Image Publishers |year=2012 |isbn=978-0768487732}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book |last1=Bibi |first1=Asia |last2=Tollet |first2=Anne-Isabelle |title=Blasphemy: A Memoir: Sentenced to Death Over a Cup of Water |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-Z1uAAAAQBAJ&q=asia+noreen+bibi&pg=PT24 |publisher=Chicago Review Press |year=2013 |isbn=978-1613748923}}
*{{cite web |last1= Shahid|first1=Kunwar Khuldune|title=The release of Asia Bibi is a small step towards a more open Pakistan|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/01/release-asia-bibi-pakistan-blasphemy-laws|work=The Guardian |access-date= 1 November 2018|date=1 November 2018}}
*{{cite web |last1= Aijazi|first1=Tamjid|title=Asia Bibi verdict: How the entire Pakistan media was censored?|url=https://www.thenewstribe.com/2019/01/12/asia-bibi-verdict-how-the-entire-pakistan-media-was-censored/|publisher=The News Tribe |access-date= 12 January 2019|date=12 January 2019}}
* {{cite web |url=http://asiabibi.org/?lang=en |title=Freedom for Asia Bibi! |website=AsiaBibi.org}}
* {{cite news |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1442634 |title=These 7 points explain the Supreme Court's decision to free Asia Bibi |last=Siddiqui |first=Zain |date=1 November 2018 |newspaper=Dawn}}
* {{cite news |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/eu-warns-pakistan-of-consequences-if-christian-mother-asia-bibi-sentenced-to-death-is-not-released-219169/ |title=EU Warns Pakistan of Consequences If Christian Mother Asia Bibi, Sentenced to Death, Is Not Released |last=Zaimov |first=Stoyan |date=23 February 2018 |newspaper=[[Religion:The Christian Post|The Christian Post]]}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/islamic-law-the-nation-state-and-the-case-pakistan |title=Islamic Law, the Nation State, and the Case of Pakistan}}
* {{cite web |url=http://engagepakistan.com/engage/ |title=The Untold Truth of Pakistan's Blasphemy Law |access-date=9 November 2018 |archive-date=9 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109111920/http://engagepakistan.com/engage/ |url-status=dead }}

[[Category:Human rights abuses]]
[[Category:Islam-related controversies]]

{{Sourceattribution|Asia Bibi blasphemy case}}