ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani lawyer who successfully fought a legal battle to acquit a Christian woman in a high-profile blasphemy case says he will return home to represent her whenever the country’s Supreme Court takes up a review petition against her.
Saiful Malook, who fled to the Netherlands following threats to him from radical Islamists after the Oct. 21 acquittal of Asia Bibi, said Tuesday that no date has been set by the court to hear the petition.
The announcement by Malook came as the 54-year-old mother of five celebrated Christmas amid security despite being freed.
Bibi had been on death row since 2010 on blasphemy charges under Pakistani law.
The radical Tehreek-e-Labbaik political party held violent nationwide protests demanding her public execution after her release.
Pakistani lawyer to return home to defend Christian woman
Pakistani lawyer to return home to defend Christian woman
If India doesn’t want handshakes, Pakistan has no desire for it either— PCB
- Indian cricketers have refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts in recent matches
- Pakistan’s senior men’s cricket team willl next face India on Feb. 15 in T20 World Cup group clash
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi recently criticized the Indian cricket team’s “no-handshake” policy, saying Pakistani cricketers will also refrain from the friendly gesture if it persists.
The Indian cricket team has refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts in recent matches between the two sides. This policy made headlines worldwide in September when the two sides met for the Asia Cup 2025 in three cricket matches, with the Indian team refusing to shake hands with Pakistani team members each time.
India’s new policy to not shake hands with Pakistani cricketers took place months after the two nuclear-armed neighbors clashed in a four-day military conflict in May. Washington eventually intervened and brokered a ceasefire on May 10 after four days of conflict.
“If they do not want to do handshakes, then we also have no desire for it either,” Naqvi told reporters at a press conference on Sunday.
The PCB chairman, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister, said cricket matters related to India will be decided on an “equal footing.”
“It won’t happen that they do one thing and we beg them in return,” Naqvi said. “This won’t happen.”
Pakistan’s Under-19 squad this month defeated India in a one-sided final for the U-19 Asia Cup tournament in Dubai.
Pakistan’s senior men’s cricket team is set to face India in Sri Lanka on Feb. 15 in a group stage clash for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
