Asia Bibi says she can scarcely believe that she has been acquitted.
Overtuning the blasphemy ruling, the Supreme Court declared: ‘the prosecution has categorically failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.’
News agency AFP said Asia Bibi could scarcely believe the news:
‘I can’t believe what I am hearing,’ she told AFP. ‘Will they let me out, really? I just don’t know what to say, I am very happy, I can’t believe it.’
Her husband Ashiq told AFP: ‘I am very happy. My children are very happy. We are grateful to God. We are grateful to the judges for giving us justice. We knew that she is innocent.’
Hundreds of extra police have been drafted in to contain protests around the Supreme Court, which is next to Parliament House.
Asia Bibi has been on death row in Pakistan after being accused of blasphemy for eight years. Release has campaigned for her freedom and the repeal of the blasphemy laws.
ENDS