After months of delays, Asia Bibi is finally a free woman and in Canada. But some are warning that she still may not be safe.
Bibi spent eight years on death row in Pakistan on blasphemy charges, before finally being acquitted by the country's Supreme Court. However, she spent months waiting to be allowed to leave the country.
Bibi's lawyer, Saif Ul Malook, has confirmed to several media outlets that Bibi left for Canada on Tuesday.
Ottawa has not confirmed yet that she is in the country. In the fall of 2018, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did confirm that Canada was in talks with Pakistan to bring Bibi here. Her daughters have already been in the country for some time.
Concerns for safety persist
Some are warning that just because Bibi is not out of Pakistan doesn't mean she's safe.
Religious extremists have vowed to pursue Bibi until her life is brought to an end.
Large protests had erupted in Pakistan after Bibi's acquittal and Muslim extremists killed two men who were involved in bringing Bibi's freedom about.
Pakistan's Minister of Minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti, and the Governor of Punjab, Salmaan Taseer, were both murdered by extremists.
Today, as Asia Bibi, Christian mother of 5 sentenced to death for 'Blasphemy', is finally free & out of Pakistan, we remember the heroes who were murdered for defending her & opposing this cruel law: Shahbaz Bhatti, Minister of Minorities, and Salmaan Taseer, Governor of Punjab. pic.twitter.com/bcJMkpYLvo
— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) May 8, 2019