Pak SC acquits Asiya Bibi\, orders immediate release

Pak SC acquits Asiya Bibi, orders immediate release

ANI  |  Islamabad [Pakistan] 

Pakistan's on Wednesday ordered for Bibi's immediate release after acquitting her of charges.

"The judgement of the high court and that of the trial court is reversed," read the

He further mentioned that Bibi should be released from prison, provided she is not wanted in any other case, reported Dawn.

The bench, which pronounced the judgement on Wednesday, comprised Nisar, Justice and Justice

The top court had previously reserved its judgement on Bibi's final appeal against her death penalty on October 8. The legal appeal had challenged Lahore High Court's October 2014 judgement that upheld a trial court's 2010 decision of sentencing Bibi to death on charges of

Security was heightened in a night before the judgement, with Rangers and Frontier Constabulary being deployed to deal with any untoward incident in the aftermath of the verdict.

Along with paramilitary forces, around 300 police personnel have been stationed to guard the building, which is right next to

Stringent measures were taken due to security threats, including those by religious groups like Khadim Hussain Rizvi, who threatened to "paralyse the country within hours if the sets Bibi free", according to Dawn.

Bibi, a Christian woman, had been convicted for by a trial court for the alleged comments made by her against the during an argument with three Muslim women.

According to Al Jazeera, the argument broke out after the women refused to drink water from a cup that Bibi had touched.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Wed, October 31 2018. 11:28 IST