Blasphemy case: LHC restrains Zardari from pardoning Asia

Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday restrained President Zardari from pardoning death convict Asia Bibi in blasphemy case and issued stay order in this regard. The LHC issued stay order on release of Aasia Bibi under Presidential order. It should be mentioned here that Aasia was recently sentenced to death for blasphemy.A petition filed at the LHC by Shahid Iqbal said Aasia Bibis matter is subjudice; hence, the President is not authorized to give the reprieve.Aasia cannot be pardoned free until the judicial process is complete, the petitioner said.The LHC Chief Justice, issuing stay order, sought a reply from the federal and provincial governments.In his petition, Advocate Shahid Iqbal argued that Governor Taseer termed Asia as innocent notwithstanding the court penalty and asked President Zardari to pardon her, which is also against the law. Chief Justice LHC Kh Sharif heard the case and maintained that neither the Governor nor the President could pardon Asia for her case is sub judice in the court and issued an ad-interim order in this regard. The court also sought explanation from Governor Taseer and the Federation by Dec 6.Aasia was arrested in June 2009 after Muslim women claimed that she made derogatory remarks about the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Aasia was set upon by a mob, arrested by police and was sentenced on November 8 to be hanged under controversial blasphemy laws that rights activists say encourage extremism.Rights activists and pressure groups say it is the first time that a woman has been sentenced to hang in Pakistan for blasphemy.