Jibran Khan

At a seminar organised by the Jinnah Institute in Islamabad, representatives of religious groups and civil society call on the government to review sections of the Penal Code and the Code of Penal Procedure that are easily abused. For them, blasphemy accusations are especially used by some for personal vendettas or to discriminate against minorities, as the Asia Bibi case shows.

The lawyers of the Supreme Court to protest stay on pardon by the President. A committee will hear religious and political leaders and experts will present to Parliament proposals to amend the blasphemy laws. Date for the appeal against the death sentence still not set.

Almost US$ 60 million have not been spent. Reconstruction in affected provinces remains at a standstill because of a turf war between federal and local authorities. In Sindh province, hundreds of villages are still under water.

President Zardari’s legal expert says the woman was convicted without been able to present her side of the story. “Some people are trying to politicise the matter and create a gap between the judiciary and the government,” a presidential spokesman says. The AsiaNews online petition on behalf of Asia Bibi and against the blasphemy law continues.

Islamic radicals still on a war footing against the possibility of a pardon for the woman sentenced to death for blasphemy. The Taliban announces that they will oppose it in every way, and the leader of the Sunni council threatens "anarchy in the country." Her husband: "Asia Bibi fears for her family."

President Zardari could decide to grant the pardon if the High Court appeal takes too long. Islamic groups opposed to pardon demand the case follows the normal course of justice.

Her petition for clemency has not yet been filed. Some believe she should appeal first to the Lahore High Court, then the Supreme Court. Cardinal Tauran arrives in Pakistan today.

Islamist parties are turning the Bibi case in a weapon against the government. Reports that she has already been released have been denied. Minorities Affairs minister is convinced that a pardon will be granted shortly. Bhatti says that extremists have threatened him.

The report is set to be given today to Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, who could grant a pardon in the near future. Religious parties threaten street protests around the country if the woman is freed.

The family of the woman sentenced to death for blasphemy is confident that a solution will be found very soon. Punjab governor is optimistic about a positive outcome to the affair. People continue to sign the AsiaNews online petition at salviamoasiabibi@asianews.it.

The Italian foreign minister, Franco Frattini makes statements of cautious optimism: "We may have saved her." A Pakistani minister yesterday called for a new investigation and a fair examination of the appeal in favour of the Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy. Even Amnesty International joins the campaign for her liberation.

Our appeal is picked up in Hungary and Eastern Europe. Punjab governor calls Bibi’s case “disgraceful”, an “embarrassment for Pakistan”. Pakistan’s Minorities minister says the sentence will not be carried out and that the woman can appeal the verdict.