Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan respects the legal rights of Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman who was recently acquitted by the Supreme Court in the country’s most high-profile blasphemy case.
According to tweets by Foreign Office Spokesman Dr Muhammad Faisal, Qureshi said this while discussing Aasia Bibi’s case with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland during a phone conversation on Monday.
The Canadian foreign minister reportedly lauded Pakistan’s top court for acquitting the poor woman who has remained on death row for over eight years.
“Canadian FM telephoned FM Qureshi yesterday. Among other issues, Asia Bibi was discussed. Canadian FM appreciated Supreme Court’s courageous decision and the prime minister’s positive speech,” Dr Faisal tweeted.
Canadian FM telephoned FM Qureshi yesterday. Among other issues, Asia Bibi was discussed. Canadian FM appreciated Supreme Court’s courageous decision & PM’s positive speech. (1/2)
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) November 13, 2018
“FM Qureshi said that Asia Bibi is our national and Pakistan fully respects her legal rights,” he added.
FM Qureshi said that Asia Bibi is our national and Pakistan fully respects her legal rights (2/2)
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) November 13, 2018
On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that his government was holding talks with Pakistan over potentially offering asylum to Aasia Bibi.
“There is a delicate domestic context that we respect which is why I don’t want to say any more about that, but I will remind people Canada is a welcoming country,” he said.
Bibi has been blocked from leaving Pakistan after the overturning of her conviction prompted a wave of protests by religiopolitical groups.
She has since been flown to a “safe place” in the country as several governments have offered to grant her family asylum.
Her husband has appealed in particular to Britain, Canada and the United States, claiming that Bibi’s life would be in danger as long as she lived in Pakistan.