Landmark pardon for Christian woman on death row sparks optimism in Pakistan

Pakistan’s Supreme Court has overturned a death-penalty verdict for Christian farm worker Asia Bibi. This landmark decision undermines blasphemy laws in the country. And the outcome has been hailed far and wide as positive:

Tears of joy this morning for #AsiaBibi and relief that her nightmare has finally come to an end. Fantastic judgment by #Pakistan #SupremeCourt
A moment of hope where we can start to dream the dream of a #NayaPakistan where the rights of all are protected. 🙏🏽🇵🇰 https://t.co/IMDzvN82CL

— Sayeeda Warsi (@SayeedaWarsi) October 31, 2018

https://twitter.com/OmarWaraich/status/1057494985170452480?s=20

Bittersweet

This ‘victory’ is bittersweet for many Pakistanis. Because the country has been fighting an uphill battle against violent conservative groups, particularly since the US-led military invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. Hardliners in Pakistani politics have also gained momentum, adding their voice in support of harsher punishments for blasphemy.

In 2011, Salman Taseer (then-governor of Pakistan’s Punjab province) and minister Shahbaz Bhatti were assassinated. Both, allegedly, for their public support of Asia Bibi:

https://twitter.com/IamUmer1/status/1057513311481270276?s=20

Protests

Following news of the ruling, conservative Muslim groups in Pakistan issued calls to protest. Some groups, including the far-right Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), also incited violence against the judges who carried out the ruling:

"They (judges) all three deserve to be killed. Either their security should kill them, their driver kill them, or their cook kill them," TLP leader on three judges who freed #AsiaBibi, a Christian woman, from a death sentence for blasphemy against Islam https://t.co/Pbmpy8OTPK

— Mehreen Zahra-Malik (@mehreenzahra) October 31, 2018

Panic around public order, meanwhile, caused nationwide disruption:

Schools closed, flights cancelled, ppl scared because some lot thinks they are more Muslim than the rest. I await on the #SupremeCourtOfPakistan to call them.

They are those whom In sha Allah shall find no peace in this life or the next. #PMIKAddress #AsiaBibi #AasiaBibi

— ASM (@theasmogul) October 31, 2018

The prime minister speaks out against protesters

Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan warned against potential threats to public order:

It is our duty to protect property, to keep roads open & to keep people safe. The state will then use its power if you so as much even decide to incite any kind of violence at a time when the whole country is trying to rise together. Don’t force us into taking action #PMIKAddress pic.twitter.com/F2JJAXJppt

— Tehreek-e-Insaf (@InsafPK) October 31, 2018

Many people have hailed his speech as a step forward in the face of religious dogma and violence:

Well done Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI. In the midst of this clamour and violence country needs a strong leadership which exhibits clarity and would not allow Writ of State to be challenged. We shoudnt concede space to bigots and those violating laws must pay for their crimes

— M. Jibran Nasir 🇵🇸 (@MJibranNasir) October 31, 2018

For the protesting men a clear, brief, and firm message: don’t mess with the State , don’t mess with the law…don’t force the State to hit back… bcos it will if u create chaos and anarchy. Excellent speech by PrimeMinister @ImranKhanPTI #AsiaBibiCase

— Nasim Zehra (@NasimZehra) October 31, 2018

Imran Khan has done what no PM has done so far. He has stood up against religious blackmailers who have exploited & smothered the system for last 70y.

Respect for Imran Khan just n-trupled!

— Baji Please (@BajiPlease) October 31, 2018

Muslim backing for the decision

Support for the Supreme Court decision, however, does not stem from secularist sentiment. Rather, many Pakistanis have expressed religious Muslim sentiments in support of the verdict. Because many feel the decision is more in keeping with Islamic principles of justice than the original death-penalty verdict:

https://twitter.com/hiraheadquarter/status/1057666573899567105

This is a remarkable speech in its clarity and boldness. Thank you PM Khan.

May Allah continue to guide and strengthen Pakistan’s leaders with this kind of clear headed courage and sense of purpose. https://t.co/hSPkpyCFhW

— Mosharraf Zaidi (@mosharrafzaidi) October 31, 2018

The future

Of course, it goes without saying that there’s still much work to be done:

Thinking about Mubashir Ahmad, Muhammad Ehsan, Ghulam Ahmad – 3 #Ahmadi men on death row for blasphemy. Sawan Masih and Nadeem James, 2 Christian men on death row for #blasphemy. Thinking about Junaid Hafeez, Muslim teacher on #deathrow for blasphemy. #aasiabibi #blasphemylaws

— Rabia Mehmood – رابعہ (@Rabail26) October 31, 2018

But this doesn’t change the fact that, at this historic moment, the nation’s mood is defined by hope:

https://twitter.com/mahnoorie/status/1057493602664882176

It’s difficult to overstate the significance of Asia Bibi’s pardon in a very religiously conservative Pakistan. Though it may only be one step, it is in the right direction. And many Pakistanis are hopeful that this single step could be the one that begins a journey of a thousand miles.

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Featured image via Twitter/Flickr