*ISLAMABAD – Conflicting reports have surfaced on the presence of AasiaBibi in Pakistan with her lawyer saying she had left and the Foreign Officesaying she was in Islamabad.*
Aasia Bibi was cleared of blasphemy charges by the Supreme Court last weekand was released from Multan prison, her lawyer said on Wednesday night.However, by Thursday morning the Foreign Office was saying that she was“still in Pakistan”.
Additionally, Antonio Tajani, the president of the European Parliament,tweeted past midnight that Aasia Bibi had left prison and had beentransferred to a safe place. He thanked the Pakistani authorities whilesaying that he was “looking forward to meeting her and her family, in theEuropean Parliament as soon as possible”.
The Foreign Office has said that Aasia Bibi is at a secure location inPakistan. It is unfortunate, that the media is publishing such storieswithout confirmation, said the office’s spokesperson. He clarified that sheis not at any embassy.
The MMA called for a million man march and participants have begungathering on Karachi’s Sharae Quaideen at Noorani Kabab House.
The gathering is expected to be addressed after Asr prayers (around 4pm).Sharae Quaideen has been blocked for traffic from the Society signal to theNoorani signal.
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On October 31, Pakistan’s top court had overturned her death sentence andordered her immediate release.
“I have been told that she is on a plane but nobody knows where she willland,” lawyer Saif-ul-Malook said in a message sent to AFP.
Some religious groups took to the streets soon after the top courtannounced its verdict. Main roads were blocked and property damaged due tothe protests. The sit-ins across the country ended on November 2 after thegovernment agreed to initiate legal proceedings to place Aasia Bibi’s nameon the ECL.
