Aasia Bibi still in prison despite acquittal

Aasia Bibi. (AFP/File)

• Italy coordinating to ensure safety for Bibi and family
• Bibi’s lawyer may seek asylum in Netherlands

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy remains in prison, despite the Supreme Court ordering her immediate release a week ago.
The top court’s verdict in the Aasia Bibi case sparked unrest in major Pakistani cities, with supporters of the right-wing Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan protesting against the decision and seeking a reversal of the judgment.
Days of demonstrations followed the ruling and the government signed a deal with the TLP in a bid to end the violence. 
The full implementation of the Supreme Court decision remains pending, causing concern among Bibi’s supporters in Pakistan and overseas.
AP reported Italy as saying it was working to relocate Bibi’s family, after her husband warned their lives were in danger.
Italy has been following Bibi’s case closely, with Pope Francis meeting her family in 2015.
In a separate development, AP reported that Bibi’s lawyer Saif-ul-Malook might seek political asylum in the Netherlands.
He was put on a plane against his wishes, he told a news conference at The Hague on Tuesday, even though he wanted to stay and ensure his client’s release.
But he later suggested he would try to stay on Dutch soil. 
“If the Netherlands as a country which defends human rights, does not help me or shelter me, I would prefer to return to Pakistan to be assassinated,” local media reported him as saying.