Oct 31 – SC to announce verdict in Asia Bibi case

Khudayar Mohla
ISLAMABAD, (TLTP): Finally the Supreme Court will announce a detailed verdict in Asia Bibi case on Wednesday as three-member bench of the Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar has been formed in the matter on Tuesday.
22 days earlier, a three-member bench led by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nsiar has reserved verdict in response to plea of Aasia Bibi which she had filed against her conviction and sentence to death under blasphemy law in 2010, observing evidence is the major and important matter.
It is pertinent to mention that while reserving verdict in the matter, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar has said in short order that no media will print or disseminate comments over the case till pronouncement of final verdict in the appeal of Asia Bibi.
On the day the court reserved its judgment in the matter, Saiful Malook, counsel for Asia Bibi has argued before the bench that the appellant has not committed blasphemous crime saying Asia Bibi is being persecuted due to her religious belief.
Representing the complainant before the bench, advocate Ghulam Mustafa Chaudhry contended that nothing could be cited in the investigation and cross examination before court of law which is denial of occurrence of blasphemous act.
While quoting verse No 108 of Surha Al-An’am, Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa cited the same, “And do not insult those they invoke other than Allah, lest they insult Allah in enmity without knowledge. Thus We have made pleasing to every community their deeds. Then to their Lord is their return, and He will inform them about what they used to do”.
Ghulam Mustafa Chaudhry, counsel for Muhammad Salim submitted before the court that if the bench decide the current matter on the grounds of technicalities then blasphemous act may be on the surface in the society.
However, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar categorically observed that question doesn’t arise to show disrespect towards Holy Prophet (PBUH) asking the counsel for complainant to convince the court through evidence under foundational rule of evidence.