0 Have your say From: Karl Sheridan, Old Lea, Holme upon Spalding Moor. THE release of Asia Bibi in Pakistan is great news, although blighted by the fact she and her family are not being allowed to leave the country. The unfortunate thing is that, although Imran Khan made great promises regarding modernising the country, it appears Islamic hardliners still rule the roost. The pure fact is that Pakistan is still being influenced by outdated and uncivilised practices akin to those of the Dark Ages, and it does make me wonder why the UK government is quite happy to keep on financing the country from our foreign aid budget when Pakistan blatantly continues to contravene human rights.From: Canon Michael Storey, Healey Wood Road, Brighouse.IT was good to learn that Asia Bibi has been acquitted and released from blasphemy charges in Pakistan, having been sentenced to death in 2010.I do thank God that our once Christian country doesn’t apply such strict blasphemy … [Read more...] about YP Letters: Why send aid if Pakistan is stuck in Dark Ages?
Pakistan
Pakistan show rare consistency to scale T20 summit
By Amlan Chakraborty (Reuters) - Pakistan have long been regarded as one of cricket's most unpredictable sides, but now their long-suffering army of fans can finally enjoy the benefits of a new level of dependability, at least in the shortest format of the sport. Consistency has never been a strong point for Pakistan, who, over the years, have built a formidable reputation as a side with a legendary ability to self-destruct. Their penchant for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory has made supporting them a health hazard, but under Sarfraz Ahmed's leadership, Pakistan have turned into a winning machine in Twenty20 internationals. When they completed a 3-0 whitewash over New Zealand earlier this month, it marked a team record 11th consecutive series victory and consolidated their position as the world's top-ranked Twenty20 team. "They have been outstanding for a long period of time and the ratings are fair. They are the number one..." New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said after … [Read more...] about Pakistan show rare consistency to scale T20 summit
Confusion over images claiming acquitted Christian woman has left Pakistan
News / UK and world by Press Association November 12, 2018, 7:35 am FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppEmail Sign up to our Daily newsletter Pakistan’s government struggling with a crisis surrounding a Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy charges after eight years on death row says it is having to deal with fake images on social media purporting to show her leaving the country. Information minister Fawad Chaudhry slammed the postings on Monday, one of which claims to show Asia Bibi meeting Pope Francis. The photo is actually of Ms Bibi’s daughter from two years ago. Mr Chaudhry says the images misidentifying Ms Bibi prompted death threats to a politician in one photograph. Radical Islamists have blocked Ms Bibi’s freedom and demanded she be publicly executed. They have also filed a petition to repeal her Supreme Court acquittal. The government says Ms Bibi remains in Pakistan, at a secret location for her own protection, until the review process is … [Read more...] about Confusion over images claiming acquitted Christian woman has left Pakistan
Fake images show acquitted Christian woman leaving Pakistan
Published 10:58 pm PST, Sunday, November 11, 2018 FILE - In this Dec. 25, 2016, file photo, a Pakistani Christian girl crosses a bridge in poor Christian neighborhood in Islamabad, Pakistan.The uproar surrounding Aasia Bibi _ a Pakistani Christian woman who was acquitted of blasphemy charges and released from death row but remains in isolation for her protection _ has drawn attention to the plight of the country's Christians.The minority, among Pakistan's poorest, has faced an increasingly intolerant atmosphere in this Muslim-majority nation where radical religious and sectarian groups have become more prominent in recent years. less FILE - In this Dec. 25, 2016, file photo, a Pakistani Christian girl crosses a bridge in poor Christian neighborhood in Islamabad, Pakistan.The uproar surrounding Aasia Bibi _ a Pakistani Christian woman who ... more Photo: B.K. Bangash, AP … [Read more...] about Fake images show acquitted Christian woman leaving Pakistan
Pakistan Withdraws Arrest Orders for Blasphemy Riot Leaders, Blames ‘Opposition’ Instead
Pakistani government officials reportedly withdrew arrest warrants for members of the radical Islamist Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party involved in violent riots calling for the death of Christian woman Asia Bibi last week, blaming “opposition” parties instead of the TLP for the mobs. Asia Bibi was acquitted of blasphemy, a crime punishable by death in Pakistan, last week after spending eight years on death row. In response, the TLP organized thousands-strong violent mobs in Pakistan’s major cities, forcing schools and businesses to shut down and destroying public and private property.Bibi has reportedly left prison but the government has kept her in an undisclosed location to protect her from the mobs who want her and the Supreme Court justices who acquitted her killed. Her family is seeking asylum in the West, arguing that radical Muslim groups will not permit her to have a normal life in the country. The largest riots ended on Friday after the government … [Read more...] about Pakistan Withdraws Arrest Orders for Blasphemy Riot Leaders, Blames ‘Opposition’ Instead