Lahore High Court: no amendment to blasphemy law until Asia Bibi verdict

In Pakistan, the Lahore High Court on Monday issued a stay order preventing any amendment to the blasphemy legislation in response to a petition filed by a citizen. In its order, the court ruled that no bill regarding the blasphemy law could be presented until it delivers a verdict on the case of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death under the law.
Religious minorities say the law is often misused to settle personal scores.
The court also postponed the hearing of the petition filed for Asia Bibi’s pardon, but it did not set a date to hear the case.
Over the weekend, thousands of Islamists gathered in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, warning the government not to touch the country's blasphemy laws.

“The situation…is still hostile,” says Peter Jacob, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Justice and Peace of the Pakistani Bishops Conference.

“There are civil society actors who are asking for repeal or amendment in the constitution,” he told Vatican Radio, “whereas the religious parties are asking not only death for Asia, but even to the extent that one of the clerics in Peshawar has placed an award money for anybody who kills Asia Bibi.”

In the meantime, Mrs Bibi waits behind bars for her hearing – which Peter Jacob says is not likely to be happen anytime soon.

Listen to Peter Jacob’s full interview with Kelsea Brennan-Wessels: