News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Asia-Bibi-2-main_article_image.jpg
UK News

UK urged to halt Pakistan aid over Asia Bibi

Lord Alton of Liverpool urged ministers to use the funding - which totalled £463 million last year - as leverage in helping ensure Asia Bibi can safely seek asylum in another country.

The crossbencher, who is a Christian, was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying a "failure" by the UK to "speak or act [on behalf of Ms Bibi] has been craven and shameful".

He also said: "Britain needs to do two things. First, give her sanctuary here.

"And second, until they uphold the rule of law and protect the country's minorities, we should redirect the £380,000 we give every day to Pakistan - £2.8 billion over the past two decades - to more worthy recipients."

Asia Bibi has been kept in a secret location in the Pakistani capital Islamabad for security reasons after she was acquitted of blasphemy last month.

Hard-line extremists, who accuse the mother-of-five of insulting Islam's prophet Muhammad, want her to be publicly hanged. She has always maintained her innocence.

Protests which erupted after she was cleared by the country's Supreme Court brought key roads in major cities to a standstill.

AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad

It is understood Asia is being prevented from traveling abroad until a petition calling for a review of the court's decision is heard.

Asia Bibi's husband, Ashiq Masih (pictured above with his daughter, Eisham) had called upon the UK, the US and Canada to offer asylum to her and the family.

On Wednesday, Theresa May says the UK was "close contact" with other countries to ensure the safety of Asia Bibi.

The Home Office has refused to comment on whether the UK is going to grant sanctuary to her in Britain.

Yesterday, the shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry accused ministers of "shameful cowardice" over a suggestion the UK has not offered asylum over fears the safety of British diplomats in Pakistan could be put at risk.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate