Punjab: Asia Bibi's husband denies episodes of "torture" in prison
by Jibran Khan
Ashiq Masih had a 90-minute conversation with his wife and saw no signs of mistreatment. But she is "fragile" and marked by her time spent in prison. He hopes and prays that "someday she will return to us." The suffering of children, the lack of their mother. Emeritus Archbishop of Lahore: "no information of torture." Appeal of Christians for strengthening of security measures in prison.
Lahore (AsiaNews) - "I have no reports of torture or ill-treatment. I met her this week: she is very weak, but continues to hope and pray that one day she will return to us. " This is what Ashiq Masih, husband of Asia Bibi, a 45 year old Christian mother of five children, condemned to death for blasphemy in jail pending the appeal process tells AsiaNews. His affirmation is confirmed by Msgr. Lawrence Saldanha, archbishop emeritus of Lahore, which neither has news "of torture to Asia Bibi". In recent days, Pakistani newspapers reported the alleged "torture" of the woman, perpetrated by prison guards. The authorities of Sheikhupura Jail in Punjab province, where she is incarcerated in solitary confinement, denied incidents of violence against the detainee. Her husband, who visited her on 11 October and spoke with her for more than 90 minutes, confirmed that "she did not speak to me about any torture, nor had marks attributable to abuse."
In a statement Mgr. Saldanha, archbishop emeritus of Lahore, agrees: "I have no reports of torture of Asia Bibi". "I know she is in a solitary prison cell in Sheikhupura - says the prelate - and receives regular visits from family members. Nothing else".
While denying the torture, Ashiq Masih speaks of his wife as a "fragile" woman, deeply marked by the time spent in the women's prison. In recent weeks, with the sentencing to death of Mumtaz Qadri, the murderer of the Governor of Punjab Salman Taseer who had publicly defended Asia Bibi, fears for the life of women have increased. The risk is still high that she could be killed by an extremist who infiltrated the prison or a prisoner. Meanwhile the family lives the daily drama of separation: the children are the most to suffer, one of them with mental health problems. "Not a day passes - her husband tells AsiaNews – without the children crying for the fate of their mother." He confirms that "the death threats have increased" and that there is a bounty of a few thousand dollars on his head, announced months ago by a Muslim extremist leader. "The children - concludes Ashiq Masih - fast and pray for the salvation of their mother."
AsiaNews’ correspondent tried to contact the Pakistani newspaper reporter from the Tribune Express, author of the piece in denouncing the "torture" endured by Asia Bibi, but it was not possible to talk directly with him. The story claims that a prison guard found "forbidden" objects in her cell and that she was punished as a result. Some sources report that the main protagonist of the abuse has been suspended. However, the prison authorities strongly deny the reports, branded as a false.
The fact remains that both versions are murky and are a cause for deep concern within the Christian community in Pakistan, already marked by repeated episodes of violence and marginalization. "The information relating to possible torture Asia Bibi is heartbreaking," said Father Francis Xavier, priest of the Diocese of Lahore. The woman is held in an isolation cell and is monitored on sight. Fr. Francis does not exclude the possibility that one of the guards may feel "resentment" towards Asia Bibi "for the Qadri death sentence." He recalls one case in 1998, when a police officer killed a prisoner accused of blasphemy: "I hope – he said - that a similar fact is not repeated ".
Fr. Asher Mall, also from Lahore, demands clarification on the matter and "immediate action" against those responsible if the case proves to be true. He has appealed to the Ministry of Interior, for "increased security measures" for Asia Bibi and renew the hopes of the Christian community that "one day she will be released and returned to her family."
In a statement Mgr. Saldanha, archbishop emeritus of Lahore, agrees: "I have no reports of torture of Asia Bibi". "I know she is in a solitary prison cell in Sheikhupura - says the prelate - and receives regular visits from family members. Nothing else".
While denying the torture, Ashiq Masih speaks of his wife as a "fragile" woman, deeply marked by the time spent in the women's prison. In recent weeks, with the sentencing to death of Mumtaz Qadri, the murderer of the Governor of Punjab Salman Taseer who had publicly defended Asia Bibi, fears for the life of women have increased. The risk is still high that she could be killed by an extremist who infiltrated the prison or a prisoner. Meanwhile the family lives the daily drama of separation: the children are the most to suffer, one of them with mental health problems. "Not a day passes - her husband tells AsiaNews – without the children crying for the fate of their mother." He confirms that "the death threats have increased" and that there is a bounty of a few thousand dollars on his head, announced months ago by a Muslim extremist leader. "The children - concludes Ashiq Masih - fast and pray for the salvation of their mother."
AsiaNews’ correspondent tried to contact the Pakistani newspaper reporter from the Tribune Express, author of the piece in denouncing the "torture" endured by Asia Bibi, but it was not possible to talk directly with him. The story claims that a prison guard found "forbidden" objects in her cell and that she was punished as a result. Some sources report that the main protagonist of the abuse has been suspended. However, the prison authorities strongly deny the reports, branded as a false.
The fact remains that both versions are murky and are a cause for deep concern within the Christian community in Pakistan, already marked by repeated episodes of violence and marginalization. "The information relating to possible torture Asia Bibi is heartbreaking," said Father Francis Xavier, priest of the Diocese of Lahore. The woman is held in an isolation cell and is monitored on sight. Fr. Francis does not exclude the possibility that one of the guards may feel "resentment" towards Asia Bibi "for the Qadri death sentence." He recalls one case in 1998, when a police officer killed a prisoner accused of blasphemy: "I hope – he said - that a similar fact is not repeated ".
Fr. Asher Mall, also from Lahore, demands clarification on the matter and "immediate action" against those responsible if the case proves to be true. He has appealed to the Ministry of Interior, for "increased security measures" for Asia Bibi and renew the hopes of the Christian community that "one day she will be released and returned to her family."
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