DefinePK

Abstract

The Asia Bibi blasphemy case has been one of the most critical and contentious issues in Pakistan over the past decade. The case deeply polarized the nation and created a tense and emotionally charged atmosphere. On October 31, 2018, the Supreme Court of Pakistan acquitted Asia Bibi, who had previously been sentenced to death by the trial court and the Lahore High Court, by extending her the benefit of the doubt. This verdict by Pakistan’s apex court provoked strong opposition from religious clerics, who declared the decision to be against the sharī‘ah and morality and issued fatwās calling for the assassination of the presiding judges. This scenario raised significant questions regarding the role and interpretation of religion in Pakistan. The present paper examines the Supreme Court’s verdict in light of the sharī‘ah principles and ethical considerations. It argues that the judgment in question is consistent with the foundational principles of the sharī‘ah and morality. The paper reaches this conclusion by identifying various sharī‘ah principles applicable to such cases and analysing the verdict to assess whether these principles were adhered to. The study finds that the judges strictly adhered to the injunctions of the sharī‘ah in exercising caution when punishing the accused, evaluating witness testimonies, and placing the burden of proof on the accuser.