Daily Times

The husband of a Christian woman acquitted after spending eight years on death row on charges of blasphemy has appealed to US President Donald Trump for refuge, citing danger to the lives of the family members.

Ashiq Masih, the husband of Asia Bibi, also appealed to the United Kingdom and Canada for assistance.

The Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) blocked major roads in big cities for three days, demanding execution of Asia Bibi. It called off the protests late on Friday after striking a deal with the government that could see authorities seek to put Bibi on the exit control list barring her from leaving the country and open a review of the verdict in the courts.

“I am requesting president of the United States Donald Trump to help us exit from Pakistan,” Masih said in a video recorded by the British Pakistani Christian Association. “I also request the prime minister of the United Kingdom to help us, I also request the prime minister of Canada,” he said, while also asking for help on behalf of his brother Jospeh Nadeem who has assisted with Bibi’s case.

The US Embassy and British and Canadian High Commissions in Islamabad did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the video.

On Saturday, Asia Bibi’s lawyer Saiful Mulook left Pakistan ‘to save his life from the angry mob and because of fears for the safety of his family’.

Bibi’s case caught the attention of then Punjab governor Salman Taseer who spoke in her defense before being assassinated by his bodyguard in 2011.

Bibi’s whereabouts are unknown, and the TLP has warned the authorities against taking her out of the country. “There will be a war if they send Asia out of country,” TLP leader Khadim Rizvi had said after the deal with the government was reached.

Published in Daily Times, November  5^th 2018.