Saiful Mulook (L) the lawyer of Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy against Islam, leaves after the Court overturned the conviction, in Islamabad, Pakistan October 31, 2018.
The Pakistani lawyer who helped free a Christian woman who had been sentenced to death in Pakistan for blasphemy has fled to the Netherlands, a Dutch Christian rights group said on Monday.
Asia Bibi's lawyer, Saiful Mulook, left Pakistan on Saturday, due to fear that he could be attacked after Bibi's conviction was overturned on Wednesday, the Association for Persecuted Christians said.
Bibi was convicted of blasphemy in 2010 for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Islam, and had been sentenced to death. Mulook helped overturn the decision, and has been threatened by angry mobs calling for the judges in the case to be killed.
Two Pakistani politicians who tried to help Bibi have been assassinated. Several parties in Dutch parliament have said they support providing temporary shelter to Bibi if she flees there.
Major cities in Pakistan have been shut down through days of demonstrations against Bibi's. They have said they would escalate their protests if she were permitted to leave the country. The government has indicated it will bar her from travelling abroad.
China and Pakistan on Sunday dismissed the growing propaganda against the multi-billion-dollar economic corridor project and vowed to safeguard it from all threats.Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a joint statement following meetings of the country’s Prime Minister Imran Khan with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang and President Xi Jinping in Beijing.China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the $64 billion project, which is the part of Beijing’s most ambitious foreign economic initiative -- One Belt One Road -- aims to connect northwest China to Pakistan's southwestern Gwadar port through a network of roads, railways and pipelines to transport cargo, oil and gas.Pakistan's slain religious scholar laid to restLife back to normal after protests end in PakistanChina says more talks needed on economic aid for PakistanChinese reiterated its full support to Pakistan's commitments and counter-terrorism efforts and commended the sacrifices made by the Pakistani nation in fight against terrorism, the statement said.“The Chinese side recognized Pakistan's efforts in actively strengthening financial regulations to combat terrorism financing and called on all relevant parties to view Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts in an objective and fair manner,” it added.Meanwhile, Pakistan also reaffirmed its “unwavering support” for one-China policy and reiterated its opposition to any attempt to undermine China's sovereignty.Chinese leadership noted the growing volume of bilateral trade and agreed to take concrete measure to address trade imbalance with Pakistan.To resolve the imbalance and trade deficit issue, the two sides agreed to conclude the second phase of the China-Pakistan free trade agreement “as early as possible” and continue discussion on the Pakistan-China agreement on trade in Service.Chinese chip firm Fujian Jinhua denies stealing IP from MicronAustralia trade minister to visit China in sign of thawTrump says 'I think we'll make a deal with China' on trade
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The husband of a Pakistani Christian woman acquitted after spending eight years on death row on charges of blasphemy has appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump for refuge, citing danger to family members' lives.Ashiq Masih, the husband of Asia Bibi, whose case has outraged Christians worldwide and been a source of division within Pakistan, also appealed to the United Kingdom and Canada for assistance.The ultra-right Tehreek-e-Labaik (TLP) party blocked major roads in Pakistan's biggest cities for three days, calling for the murder of the Supreme Court judges who acquitted Asia Bibi on Wednesday, and terming Prime Minister Imran Khan and the country's army chief enemies of Islam.The TLP called off the protests late on Friday after striking a deal with the government that could see authorities seek to put Bibi on an 'exit control list' barring her from leaving the country and open a review of the verdict in the courts."I am requesting the President of the United States Donald Trump to help us exit from Pakistan," Masih said in a video recorded by the British Pakistani Christian Association and seen by Reuters."I also request the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to help us, I also request the Prime Minister of Canada," he said, while also asking for help on behalf of his brother Jospeh Nadeem who has assisted with Bibi's case.Pakistan's army denies role in Aasia Bibi acquittalPakistan: Talks falter, more Aasia Bibi protests loomPakistan: Acquittal of Christian woman protestedThe U.S. Embassy and British and Canadian High Commissions in Islamabad did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the video.On Saturday, Bibi's lawyer Saiful Mulook told Reuters he had left Pakistan "to save (my) life from angry mob" and because of fears for the safety of his family.Bibi was convicted of blasphemy in 2010 for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Islam after neighbours objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not Muslim. She always denied having committed blasphemy.Her case caught the attention of then Punjab provincial governor Salman Taseer who spoke in Bibi's defense before being assassinated by his bodyguard in 2011. The TLP was founded out of a movement to support Taseer's assassin, who was hanged in 2016.Federal minister for minorities Shahbaz Bhatti was also killed after calling for her release.Bibi's whereabouts are unknown, but the TLP has warned the authorities against taking her out of the country."There will be a war if they send Asia out of country," TLP leader Khadim Hussain Rizvi said after the deal with the government was reached.Islamist parties have characterised Bibi's release as Pakistan's government caving into Western demands.Pakistan's slain religious scholar laid to restLife back to normal after protests end in PakistanChina says more talks needed on economic aid for Pakistan
Husband of freed Pakistani Christian woman appeals to Trump for refuge