“It’s not Naya Pakistan”, Jemima Goldsmith lashes PTI government over Aasia Bibi case handling

Jemima Goldsmith, former wife of the PM Imran Khan, took to social media criticizing Pakistani government for recent development amidst Aasia Bibi verdict protests. Her reaction comes day after the government struck a deal with TLP protesters to end the three-day nationwide protests and sit-ins.

It was on October 30th when the Supreme Court of Pakistan acquitted Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman accused of blasphemy in 2010 and sentenced to death. SC has set aside an earlier judgment passed by the Lahore High Court.

In her tweet while quoting an international publication’s news link, Jemima writes, “Not the Naya Pakistan we’d hoped for. 3 days after a defiant & brave speech defending the judiciary, Pakistan’s gov caves in to extremist demands to bar #AsiaBibi from leaving Pak, after she was acquitted of blasphemy- effectively signing her death warrant”.

One of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s passionate supporter comes out criticizing the government’s decision and she further writes, “Still hoping there’s some plan afoot which we don’t know about”.

Aasia Bibi, 51 years old Christian, mother of five, had been on death row since 2010. She was accused of blasphemy during a row over drinking water with women with whom she was working in a field in Sheikhupura.

Aasia Bibi’s case gained prominence after that time Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer pleaded for a retrial of her case and he was subsequently shot dead in January 2011, by one of his guards, Mumtaz Qadri. Every development related to this case is also being keenly followed by the international community.