In a first, Pak court orders execution of Christian woman for ‘blasphemy’

LAHORE - A Pakistani court has sentenced a Christian woman to death for blasphemy in a first such conviction in the country.

A local court in Nankana district sentenced 45-year-old Aasia Bibi on Monday, the Daily Times reported.

Aasia’s case dates back to June 2009 when she was asked to fetch water while out working in fields. But a group of Muslim women labourers objected, saying that as a non-Muslim she should not touch the water bowl.

A few days later, the women went to a local cleric and alleged that Aasia had made derogatory remarks against the religious personalities. The cleric went to local police, which opened an investigation.

The 45-year-old was arrested in Ittanwalai village and prosecuted under Section 295C of the Pakistan Penal Code, which carries death penalty.

Sentencing her to be hanged, Judge Naveed Iqbal totally ruled out any chance that Aasia was falsely implicated, saying that there were no mitigating circumstances.

However, her husband Ashiq Masih said that the case was baseless and he would file an appeal against the verdict. (ANI)