Pakistan: Asia bibi and blasphemous charges on her -The Asian Age

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has reserved its judgment on the much hyped and sensational case of Asia Bibi , the 47 year old Christian Pakistani, facing charges of blasphemy slapped on her nearly 9 years ago (June 14, 2009) when it was alleged that she passed some blasphemous remarks against the Prophet.

In Pakistan, punishment for blasphemy is nothing but death and if at all the court awards a lenient verdict meaning reducing the death sentence to life imprisonment, one in the death row is unlikely to escape the mob frenzy. Asia has been on the death row since Nov 2010.

The Lahore High Court had earlier confirmed the death sentence dashing the hopes of the verdict being commuted to a life sentence. Asia's husband, Ashiq Mia is running from pillar to post trying to garner support for a reprieve or to create a favorable public opinion. He has even approached the Vatican and other international catholic Christian institutions for support. However, there does not seem to be any glimmer of hope. Noted human rights activist Asma Jahangir is no more in the horizon to plead Asia's case.

Pakistan is bankrupt with bold voices to air concern on such grim issues. One wonders if Malala Yusufzai, a Pakistani with such high international acceptability, can mobilize substantial public opinion to prevail upon the global fraternity to speak up for Asia bibi. Appeals to Amnesty International have also not worked.

Pakistan's indifference towards liberal laws is well known. Former Governor Salman Taseer was gunned down by his own body guard, Mumtaz Qadri on jan 4, 2011 as Salman Taseer was progressive, anti blasphemy laws and was defending Asia Bibi in the court. His voice was stifled by a 22 year old radicalized youth. It shows how deep is the level of bigotry that one took the life of one's own protectee. Not only that, Qadri was made a hero overnight and was commended for silencing an anti blasphemy man.

Further, Qadri's trial proceedings were a nightmare for the authorities as it was akin to a law and order problem. Eventually, after was executed, floral tributes were paid to him and was given by a large section a martyr type status. Hence we see that a major chunk of the Pakistani society, is still venomous and of regressive thinking for liberal laws or for religious tolerance.

Unless the society is conducive, relaxation of stringent laws remains a tough challenge. Said that, there must be a saner and forward thinking segment, but they can't assert openly for either being ostracized or for fear of being socially and legally accounted for. Judiciary is also helpless.

One often thinks that Bangladesh , which was earlier a part of Pakistan , has progressed so well since its inception for the last 47 years with seculars, liberals and progressives enjoying a good and fair say in the society shaping public opinion through the dynamism of theatre , films, literature , media and use of intelligentsia . Yet, Pakistan with its independence more than 70 years has not made much visible strides.

Meanwhile, Asia Bibi's mercy petition is under submission as her fate hangs in balance and the judgment is reserved by the Supreme Court. Interestingly, during the trial, Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rahman , one of three members of the Supreme Court bench recused himself from the hearing stating that he was the judge who had heard the hearing of Mumtaz Qadri the assassin of Salman Taseer who initially defended Asia and Justice Mia Saqib Nisar of the Supreme Court felt that Justice Rahman believed that his presence in the bench may prejudice Asia Bibi's case as it was closely linked to Salman Taseer. It is, therefore, clearly evident that judges are applying themselves on the merits of the case.

It's time Pakistan undergoes some radical judicial reforms specially on the laws of blasphemy focusing on 295 C of the Pakistani Penal Code which is seen to be in violation of Pakistan's obligations to respect the rights to life to a fair trial and to prohibit torture and other cruel , inhuman degrading treatment or punishment .

Now that Imran Khan is at the helm and dreaming for a naya Pakistan, isn't it imperative on his part to undertake judicial reforms to address humanitarian issues? Drastic and positive measures are most needed.

In the meantime, Asia Bibi , with a bible in her hand and thoughts of her physically challenged child in mind , is awaiting for the best possible verdict which is now cloaked in suspense . The writer is a security analyst, and a columnist on topical issues. Views expressed are personal