Aasia Bibi has not flied out of Pakistan, clarifies FM Qureshi

MULTAN: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday rebutted the reports that Aasia Bibi, the blasphemy accused who was acquitted by the top court, flied out of Pakistan after her release from prison last night.

“She is in Pakistan and has not gone abroad,” he stated in categorical terms while speaking to media here today. “Things don’t happen at sweet will as institutions are bound by law.” he explained.

The foreign minister said the government would make efforts to alleviate the suffering of Dr Aafia Siddiqui and secure her release, adding that he will meet Dr Aafia’s sister in the coming week and assured all possible legal assistance in this regard.

About Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to China, he said two sides discussed the strategic cooperation and exports in detail and expressed the hope that Pakistan’s imports to China will double this year.

Earlier, while addressing the inaugural session of a Sufi Conference here at the Bahauddin Zakariya University, Qureshi called for mainstreaming of the madaris so that their students could attain knowledge in all spheres of life. He said there was a need to learn from Sufism.

He said Sufis were the flag-bearers in spreading Islam in the sub-continent and there was a need to emulate their examples of tolerance, to counter the threats of extremism and terrorism.

He said the Sufis had always spread a message of peace and love, aimed at building a stronger society.

He said Pakistan was at a critical stage and required cohesion and unity amongst all ranks and files. He also stressed the need for interfaith harmony and said its importance had risen all the more in a polarized world.

He said the Bahauddin Zakariya University was playing a key role in bringing people from all over Pakistan together and building harmony and brotherhood.