Pakistan’s muted response as Asia Bibi flees to Canada

After 10 years of political turmoil, assassinations and violent demonstrations, Asia Bibi’s exit from Pakistan was met largely with silence, as the country appeared to seek a quiet close to a turbulent chapter. Even as the Christian woman’s flight to safety in Canada made international headlines on Wednesday, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government said nothing.

It was left to a foreign ministry spokesman to confirm her departure on Thursday, with Mohammad Faisal telling journalists Bibi had left the country “at her own will” as he declined to say anything further.

The silence echoed across the country’s usually rambunctious media, with most newspapers glossing over the episode and primetime television shows offering it only a passing mention.

It was a jarring contrast to the violent protests staged by hardliners against Bibi in recent years, including last October, when the Supreme Court overturned her death sentence for blasphemy. Islamists took to the streets at the time calling for mutiny in the armed forces and the assassination of the country’s top judges. “The government clearly doesn’t want there to be a reaction from violent mobs,” said Omar Waraich, deputy South Asia director at Amnesty International.

“They are worried that they will be accused of being part of what some hardliners call a Western conspiracy against Islam to punish those who stand up for the Prophet, and protect those accused of insulting the Prophet.”

Many of the protest ringleaders were rounded up in a government crackdown and remain in detention—a possible reason why Bibi’s flight to freedom after months spent in protective custody in Pakistan did not ignite further demonstrations.

Bibi was first convicted and sentenced to death for committing blasphemy during an altercation with fellow labourers in 2009.

Pakistans muted response as Asia Bibi flees to Canada

After 10 years of political turmoil, assassinations and violent demonstrations, Asia Bibis exit from Pakistan was met largely with silence, as the country appeared to seek a quiet close to a turbulent chapter. Even as the Christian womans flight to safety in Canada made international headlines on Wednesday, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khans government said nothing. It was left to a foreign ministry spokesman to confirm her departure on Thursday, with Mohammad Faisal telling journalists Bibi had left the country at her own will as he declined to say anything further. The silence echoed across the countrys usually rambunctious media, with most newspapers glossing over the episode and primetime television shows offering it only a passing mention. It was a jarring contrast to the violent protests staged by hardliners against Bibi in recent years, including last October, when the Supreme Court overturned her death sentence for blasphemy. Islamists took to the streets at the time calling for mutiny in the armed forces and the assassination of the countrys top judges. The government clearly doesnt want there to be a reaction from violent mobs, said Omar Waraich, deputy South Asia director at Amnesty International. They are worried that they will be accused of being part of what some hardliners call a Western conspiracy against Islam to punish those who stand up for the Prophet, and protect those accused of insulting the Prophet. Many of the protest ringleaders were rounded up in a government crackdown and remain in detentiona possible reason why Bibis flight to freedom after months spent in protective custody in Pakistan did not ignite further demonstrations. Bibi was first convicted and sentenced to death for committing blasphemy during an altercation with fellow labourers in 2009.