Husband of Pakistan blasphemy woman case, Asia Bibi, pleads for asylum

The request by Asia Bibi 's husband Ashiq Masih A criticism of a criticism of a government deal with hard line.

Bibi – who had been on death row on 2010 on blasphemy charges – was acquitted by the Supreme Court on Wednesday, triggering large street protests by ultraconservative Islamists who paralyzed Pakistan for three days, blocking roads and disrupting traffic.

Bibi from leaving the country, and saying it would not be difficult.

An appeal has been filed with the court against Bibi's release.

Mr Masih criticized the government deal, saying it was "wrong".

"I ask President Donald Trump to help us to leave the country," said Mr Masih, in a video message, seen by AFP, also requesting help from the Canadian prime minister.

Wilson Chowdhry, of the British Pakistani Christian Association, told AFP that the family was resting its hopes on the US, Britain or Canada to grant them asylum and help them reach a place of safety.

"These nations have the largest Pakistani Christian communities," Mr Chowdhry said, adding that Mr Masih also wants asylum for some members of the family.

"If Asia Bibi leaves the country, every family member, will be killed," he said.

'TOTALLY SHATTERED'

Mr Chowdhry said the family's initial relief at Bibi's acquittal has turned into anguish.

"The daughters are weeping. They still have not seen their mother. The family is totally shattered, "he said.

"They absolutely do not know when they will see their mother. Since (the court decision), with the violence and the protests, it is too dangerous for them to see their mother in jail. "Blasphemy is a hugely inflammatory charge in Muslim-majority Pakistan, where even unproven allegations of insulting Islam can spark attacks and killings at the hands of vigilante mobs.

Mr Masih told German Deutsche Welle radio on Saturday the "very courageous" to acquit his wife, an illiterate mother in her 50s who was accused of blasphemy a decade ago.

"The current situation is very dangerous for us. We told the radio station, saying he was worried his wife would be attacked in prison.

The case began in June 2009 when it was asked to fetch water while working in the fields. Muslim women laborers objected, saying that a non-Muslim, she should not touch the water bowl, and reportedly a fight erupted.

A local imam then claimed Bibi insulted the Mohammed Prophet – a charge she has consistently denied.

Bibi's lawyer fled Pakistan on Saturday, fearing for his life.

"In the current scenario, it's not possible for me to live in Pakistan," Saif-ul-Mulook, 62, told AFP before boarding a plane to Europe.

Mr Masih asked for the reinforcement government Bibi's protection in prison, worrying that she may be attacked. He mentions the case of two Christian men who were shot dead after a short acquitted them in another blasphemy case.

Pakistan Islamabad over the deal, saying it was "appalled at the government's failure to preserve the writ of the state and the sanctity of the rule of law".

"The TLP, which is openly for murder and mutiny, is a mockery of the rule of law and fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution, and appears to have assumed all of its methods of law," the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said in a statement on Sunday.

Purpose information minister Fawad Chaudhry insisted the government was not ignoring the actions of the Islamists.

"No one should have this wrong impression that the state will ignore this behavior," he told reporters on Sunday.

"The state will not ignore the rebellion."

Police in Islamabad arrested 12 people for violence and incitement on Sunday.

Reports had been "registered against more than 100 protesters who were involved in vandalism in Islamabad," senior city official Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat said on Twitter, adding some 500 people had been accused over the unrest.