Thaindian News

Lahore, Jan 13 (IANS) The government of Pakistan’s Punjab province has not taken any extra security measure to protect Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death on blasphemy charges, despite increasing threat to her life, an intelligence report said.No extra security measures have been taken to protect the life of Aasia Bibi whose life is constantly being threatened by militants and extremist religious elements, the Express Tribune reported citing a report compiled by a provincial intelligence agency.

The severity of threat to the life of Aasia Bibi spiked after the assassination of Punjab governor Salman Taseer, who was killed by his body guard Jan 4.

The Pakistani interior ministry has asked the Punjab government to increase security for Aasia Bibi in Sheikhupura Jail where she has been incarcerated in the women’s barrack along with 15-16 other detainees.

The provincial intelligence agency report said just one lady warden has been assigned to her inside the jail and five police constables were deputed to secure the jail’s perimeter, along with two motorcycle squads assigned to patrol the jail periphery.

The report said that the guards assigned to her “are not vigilant and most of the times they are absent, especially the motorcycle riders”.

Referring to many loopholes in Aasia Bibi’s security, the intelligence agency pointed out that her husband, Ashiq Masih, is allowed to visit her like “a normal visitor in an ordinary/casual shed, and there are no special security precautions” on ground.

The report also suggested that Aasia Bibi should be sent to women’s jail in Multan. It said that there were “better security arrangements which preempts the chance of an attack or any untoward incident”.