KARACHI: Sindh government on Wednesday has banned pillion ridding and imposed section 144 in the entire province from October 31 to November.
The following decision came after the Supreme Court’s decision in Asia Bibi blasphemy case as the top court released her from blasphemy charges fearing violence from religious quarters.
The Punjab Home Department has also imposed Section 144 barring the gathering of people in public places. Section 144 has been imposed across the province from October 31 to November 10.
A three-judge special bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel heard Bibis 2014 appeal against her conviction and death sentence under section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
The 56-page detailed judgement was authored by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and included a concurrent opinion by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa.
Reading out the verdict, CJP Nisar said, Keeping in mind the evidence produced by the prosecution against the alleged blasphemy committed by the appellant, the prosecution has categorically failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The judgments of the High Court as well as the Trial Court are reversed. Consequently, the conviction as also the sentence of death awarded to the appellant is set aside and she is acquitted of the charge.
