LAHORE – The Punjab government is deliberating on shifting blasphemy convict Aasia Bibi to the Multan jail, as a measure to arrange better security for her, sources told Pakistan Today. The matter was taken up in a high profile meeting at the Punjab Assembly Secretariat on Wednesday. The meeting chaired by Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah was also attended by the IGP, prisons IG, home secretary and other senior officials.
The meeting was convened considering sensitivity of the matter, as Aasia’s life is under threat, with individuals announcing reward up to Rs 30 million as her head money. The prisons IG had to leave owing to demise of his father but senior officials of the prisons department remained present. Sources said that the decision was taken because the Multan Jail is one of the four prisons in Punjab having high security barracks.
The District Jail Sheikhupura, where Aasia is currently being kept lacks such barracks. “High security barracks are available in prisons in Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Multan and are currently under construction in Adiala Jail. These barracks are made of special material for high risk prisoners,” sources said.
They said that the home department has completed the paperwork, but the final decision to shift Aasia will be taken by high-ups and the meeting was also convened in this regard.
The home department has already issued special instructions to prison authorities in Sheikhupura for Aasia’s security. Even in District Jail Sheikhupura, special security arrangements have been made for Aasia and no one except her husband and children are allowed to see her. Any other visitor needs to get special permission from the home department, sourced added. They said her interaction with other prisoners, even females, is also banned for her own security.
