ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 -Lahore High court Monday barred the President from granting pardon to a Christian woman held on blasphemy charges.
The Lahore High Court (LHC) barred the President from pardoning Aasia Bibi, who had appealed for clemency, in a petition filed by a local citizen Shahid Iqbal. His lawyer Allah Bux Laghari told newsmen that Presidential pardon is illegal as the court is already hearing an appeal against her sentence.
He said Punjab Governor Salman Taseer met with Bibi and assured her of the Presidential amnesty. By doing so, he added, the Governor has committed contempt of court. The lawyer said that it was the duty of the tribunal to evaluate the evidence against the convict, not of any individual. Aasia Bibi, 45, was given the death sentence by an Additional Sessions judge in Nankana Sahib district of eastern Punjab province on 9th November on charges of committing blasphemy.
A local cleric, Qari Saleem, had lodged an FIR (First Information Report) against her for allegedly passing derogatory remarks against the Holy Prophet (PBUH). However, Aasia has rejected the accusation. The case of Aasia has renewed controversy over blasphemy law in Pakistan with civil society groups and minorities calling it an unjust law.
The Lahore High Court (LHC) barred the President from pardoning Aasia Bibi, who had appealed for clemency, in a petition filed by a local citizen Shahid Iqbal. His lawyer Allah Bux Laghari told newsmen that Presidential pardon is illegal as the court is already hearing an appeal against her sentence.
He said Punjab Governor Salman Taseer met with Bibi and assured her of the Presidential amnesty. By doing so, he added, the Governor has committed contempt of court. The lawyer said that it was the duty of the tribunal to evaluate the evidence against the convict, not of any individual. Aasia Bibi, 45, was given the death sentence by an Additional Sessions judge in Nankana Sahib district of eastern Punjab province on 9th November on charges of committing blasphemy.
A local cleric, Qari Saleem, had lodged an FIR (First Information Report) against her for allegedly passing derogatory remarks against the Holy Prophet (PBUH). However, Aasia has rejected the accusation. The case of Aasia has renewed controversy over blasphemy law in Pakistan with civil society groups and minorities calling it an unjust law.
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