ISLAMABAD: During a telephone conversation with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi reiterated that Pakistan completely respects Aasia Bibi’s legal rights and would ensure that she was extended the same, a statement released by the Foreign Ministry read on Tuesday.
“Canadian FM telephoned FM Qureshi yesterday. Among other issues, Aasia Bibi was discussed. Canadian FM appreciated the Supreme Court’s courageous decision and PM’s positive speech,” Dr. Mohammad Faisal, Foreign Ministry spokesperson posted on social media on Tuesday.
He added that Qureshi informed Freeland that “Aasia Bibi is our national [citizen] and Pakistan fully respects her legal rights”.
Bibi, 51, is a Christian woman whose case gained international attention after she was placed on death row in 2010. This was after a lower court found her guilty of committing blasphemy. However, citing a lack of credible evidence in the case, the Supreme Court (SC) overturned the ruling on October 31, acquitting Bibi of all charges. The decision led to massive protests across the country, spearheaded by a far-right religious party, the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), who set several conditions for calling off the protests. Prime among these was that the SC overturns its verdict and places Bibi on the country’s Exit Control List.
The TLP party reiterated on Tuesday that it strictly opposed her release while threatening to stir up protests if Bibi was permitted to leave the country. “It is a stance of the millions of Pakistani Muslims,” TLP spokesman Ejaz Ashrafi told Reuters.
Meanwhile, Bibi’s husband has appealed to Britain, Canada, and the United States to grant her a safe passage out of Pakistan, claiming that her life was in danger as long as she continued to live in the country. Last week, Bibi’s lawyer, Saiful Mulook, flew to the Netherlands fearing for his life.
While the government has indicated to protesters that it will bar Bibi from traveling abroad, international talks suggest otherwise. In an interview with Agence France Presse, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday that talks were underway with Pakistan in this regard. “We are in discussions with the Pakistani government,” Trudeau said, adding that, “There is a delicate domestic context that we respect which is why I don’t want to say any more about that, but I will remind people Canada is a welcoming country,” he added.
We respect Aasia Bibi’s legal rights, Qureshi tells Canadian FM
We respect Aasia Bibi’s legal rights, Qureshi tells Canadian FM
- TLP workers threaten to stir up protests if Christian woman is allowed to leave Pakistan
- Case gained global traction after she was placed on death row in a blasphemy case
ADB approves $381 million for climate-resilient agriculture, social services in Punjab
- Support will upgrade Punjab’s education and nursing systems, improving learning outcomes and health care capacity
- Package includes $124 million for agriculture, $107 million for STEM schooling and $150 million for nursing reforms
KARACHI: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Saturday it approved $381 million in financing for Pakistan’s Punjab province to modernize agriculture and strengthen education and health services, with a major focus on building climate resilience after monsoon floods this year caused widespread destruction across the country’s most populous province.
The package includes concessional loans and grants for farm mechanization, STEM education, and nursing sector reforms.
ADB said the investments are intended to help Punjab, home to more than half of Pakistan’s population and a key contributor to its economy, recover from climate shocks and transition toward more sustainable and resilient development.
“Investing in education, health, and agricultural mechanization will play a transformative role in driving the growth of Punjab, a vital pillar of Pakistan’s economy,” said ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan. “These strategic investments will modernize agriculture, enhance human capital, and significantly improve livelihoods for millions of people across Punjab.”
The bank approved $120 million in concessional loans and a $4 million grant for the Punjab Climate-Resilient and Low-Carbon Agriculture Mechanization Project, which will support 220,000 rural farm households.
The program aims to reduce climate vulnerability by shifting farmers toward modern, low-emission machinery, provide alternative livelihoods for agricultural workers and train 15,000 women in new skills. It will also introduce a financing model to help small farmers access advanced equipment.
Punjab produces most of Pakistan’s wheat, rice, and maize but still relies on outdated machinery, contributing to grain losses and routine burning of crop residues, a major source of air pollution, said ADB.
It noted the new project will promote modern mechanization, including rice harvesters, to address these issues.
ADB also approved $107 million for the Responsive, Ready, and Resilient STEM Secondary Education in Punjab Program, including a $7 million grant from the Asian Development Fund.
The results-based program aims to modernize secondary schooling by expanding inclusive STEM education, improving access and quality across the province.
A further $150 million concessional loan was approved for the Punjab Nursing and Health Workforce Reform Program, which will upgrade nursing curricula, develop disaster-resilient training facilities, strengthen workforce governance, and introduce digital human-resource systems.
The program seeks to expand the pool of qualified nurses to strengthen health service delivery and meet rising national and global demand.
Key components include the establishment of three centers of excellence in Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi, equipped with simulation labs, digital learning platforms, and gender-responsive hostels.
ADB said it remains committed to supporting climate-resilient and inclusive development across Asia and the Pacific through innovative financing tools and partnerships.
