Conflicting reports about Asia Bibi

Asia Bibi's husband and daughters

By now you may have heard conflicting reports regarding the release of Asia Bibi, the Pakistani Christian woman who was recently sentenced to death for blasphemy.

ASSIST News Service reports that several sources inside Pakistan claim that Asia, also known as Asia Noreen, who has spent the last year and a half in prison, was set free yesterday (November 22), after being pardoned by Pakistani President, Asif Ali Zardari.

Other sources are saying that this claim is premature.

A respected source close to the case said that according to their latest information, Asia has not been pardoned and that her mercy plea was sent to the Punjab Home Department, which will forward it to the Interior Ministry for onward submission to the Presidency.

The source also said that the presidential spokesperson made a statement that President Zardari had not “received any such plea” but that he may consider it on the “advice of the prime minister.”

It is also believed that, if and when Asia receives a possible presidential pardon, a strike is being called for Wednesday and threats of violence could erupt if Asia is released.

Nasir Saeed, coordinator of CLAAS in the UK, told ASSIST News: “The ordeal faced by Asia and her family is unimaginable to most people outside of Pakistan who are largely unaware of the abuse and discrimination faced by the tiny Christian minority there."

VOM will to keep you posted on Asia’s case. Please continue to pray for her release and for the safety of her and her family.

Read ASSIST News Service's full report here.