Please sign our petion for Asia Bibi (here)
LAHORE: Today the appeal case of Asia Bibi was adjourned a fifth time The new date fixed for the appeal to be heard is October 16th 2014. The Court via Judge Anwar Ul Haq has given a strict ultimatum to lawyers of both sides to submit their final arguments on this date.
Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill, Human Rights Defender and Chief of LEAD, who has recently pledged to do all he can to help free Asia Bibi, was present at the court along with his team and leading counsel of the appeal case S.K.Choudary.
Mushtaq Gill said;
“It is a great travesty that Asia Bibi’s case has been adjourned once again, however a final date has now been set and I believe the sage of postponed appeal hearings will come to an end. Moreover, I firmly believe that Asia will be freed once her appeal has been heard and evidence submitted.”
In November 2010, Asia Bibi,a Christian mother,was convicted under section 295C of the Pakistan Penal Code. She was sentenced to death and has been languishing in jail for four years. Asia is awaiting her appeal decision which is now pending in the Lahore High Court after five consecutive postponements.
The BPCA will continue to highlight Asia Bibi’s fight for justice. We will be keeping her in our prayers and call on Christians around the World to join us. We believe that heighetened awareness of her suffering will maintain international scrutiny and pressure on the authorities of Pakistan that will lead to her eventual release, just as in the case of Meriam Ibrahim in Sudan. So please continue to contact your MP’s and challenge them to intervene on behalf of Asia Bibi. Learn more about Asia Bibi (Here)
Chairman of the BPCA, Wilson Chowdhry said;
“I am saddened to hear of this latest appeal hearing adjournment, just as I was on the five previous occasions. Whatever the reasons for each postponement, it is Asia who has had to suffer. I am confident she will be set free as she has broken no law and is innocent. However, despite her strength and courage throughout this entire debacle, one cannot deny that she must be a broken shell of her former self. Her cry for justice is one we should all be unified with, and I pray and hope that when she is released – which I truly believe will happen – that she is given all the support she needs to live a fulfilling life with her family. Moreover, I hope that her undesirable trials and tribulations move the nation of Pakistan, so much so, that new laws protecting people of all faiths emerge as a consequence.
