An employee of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in Pakistan was suspended after his video went viral where he was seen allegedly threatening a female security officer, who was Christian, with a case of blasphemy after a dispute broke out between the two of them on parking at the cargo area of Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.&nbsp;

A committee has been constituted by the CAA to investigate the matter. According to the incident's footage, the row started after the man was reprimanded by the female security officer for allowing a vehicle of an acquaintance to pass through security, without any vehicle pass.&nbsp;

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The video of the brawl, which was viral on social media platforms, shows that the female official is being threatened by the man that if she didn't leave him alone, he will register a blasphemy case against her.&nbsp;

He is also seen threatening her, saying, “Call anyone you like If I get mad I will cut up into pieces…go away”. After the video went viral, the top leadership of the ruling party took notice of the video.&nbsp;

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خاتون اہلکار کیمطابق انہیں بطور مسیحی توہین رسالت کا الزام لگا کر ڈرایا جارہا ہے آصف علی زرداری نے معاملے کا سخت نوٹس لیا ہے <a href="https://t.co/4eYgcFWuzu">https://t.co/4eYgcFWuzu</a>
— Sanam Jamali🇵🇰 (@sana_J2) <a href="https://twitter.com/sana_J2/status/1611751243520557056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2023</a></blockquote>
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On Saturday, the official was suspended by the CAA. As per the CAA spokesperson's statement, on the directions of DG CAA, an inquiry committee was constituted, which will be led by the airport services director.

WATCH|&nbsp;Gravitas: Pakistan is heading for a civil war

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“The committee will hold its first meeting tomorrow (Tuesday). Both parties involved have been informed through letters,” the spokesperson said.&nbsp;

He added that the female security officer and the CAA official have been asked to present their stance in front of the committee. The Pakistan Ulema Council's Chairman Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, issuing a statement, criticised the incident, adding that “there can’t be a bigger form of terrorism than a person using religion and the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) name for his own ulterior motives”.

(With inputs from agencies)

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An employee of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in Pakistan was suspended after his video went viral where he was seen allegedly threatening a female security officer, who was Christian, with a case of blasphemy after a dispute broke out between the two of them on parking at the cargo area of Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.

An employee of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in Pakistan was suspended after his video went viral where he was seen allegedly threatening a female security officer, who was Christian, with a case of blasphemy after a dispute broke out between the two of them on parking at the cargo area of Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. A committee has been constituted by the CAA to investigate the matter. According to the incident's footage, the row started after the man was reprimanded by the female security officer for allowing a vehicle of an acquaintance to pass through security, without any vehicle pass. ALSO READ| Pakistan needs $8 billion to recover from devastating floods, says PM Sharif at UN conference The video of the brawl, which was viral on social media platforms, shows that the female official is being threatened by the man that if she didn't leave him alone, he will register a blasphemy case against her. He is also seen threatening her, saying, “Call anyone you like If I get mad I will cut up into pieces…go away”. After the video went viral, the top leadership of the ruling party took notice of the video. خاتون اہلکار کیمطابق انہیں بطور مسیحی توہین رسالت کا الزام لگا کر ڈرایا جارہا ہے آصف علی زرداری نے معاملے کا سخت نوٹس لیا ہے https://t.co/4eYgcFWuzu — Sanam Jamali🇵🇰 (@sana_J2) January 7, 2023 × On Saturday, the official was suspended by the CAA. As per the CAA spokesperson's statement, on the directions of DG CAA, an inquiry committee was constituted, which will be led by the airport services director. WATCH| Gravitas: Pakistan is heading for a civil war “The committee will hold its first meeting tomorrow (Tuesday). Both parties involved have been informed through letters,” the spokesperson said. He added that the female security officer and the CAA official have been asked to present their stance in front of the committee. The Pakistan Ulema Council's Chairman Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, issuing a statement, criticised the incident, adding that “there can’t be a bigger form of terrorism than a person using religion and the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) name for his own ulterior motives”. (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH| Pak CAA employee threatens Christian woman with blasphemy case, suspended

Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who spent 8 years in a Pakistani Jail for blasphemy has now released the latest picture of her life in exile.

Asia Bibi who spent 8 years in Pak jail, breaks silence

Pakistan's Supreme Court will decide on January 29 whether to allow an appeal against its acquittal of a Christian woman at the centre of a blasphemy row, a lawyer involved in the case said Thursday.

If the court refuses to allow the appeal, it will remove the last legal hurdle facing Asia Bibi, who is a prime target in conservative Muslim-majority Pakistan and remains in protective custody.

Bibi was on death row for eight years for blasphemy, a hugely sensitive charge.

The Supreme Court's decision in October last year to overturn her conviction ignited days of violent demonstrations, with enraged Islamists calling for her beheading, mutiny within the powerful military and the assassination of the country's top judges.

The government has since launched a crackdown on the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) party -- the Islamist group driving the violent protests -- charging its leaders with sedition and terrorism.

But authorities also struck a deal with the protesters to end the violence, forming an agreement which included allowing a final review of the Supreme Court's judgement.

On January 29, "the court will determine if our appeal against her acquittal is admitted", Ghulam Mustafa Chaudhry, the lawyer who filed the petition seeking an appeal, told AFP.

"Usually the court decides on the same day if the appeal is admitted or not," he added.

Under Pakistan's creaky legal system any private citizen can petition the courts on any matter of public interest or human rights, as in the Bibi case.

However legal experts said it would be highly unusual for the Supreme Court to overturn its own decision, especially one that as carefully drafted as the Bibi ruling.

"It is very rare," lawyer Saad Rasool told AFP.&nbsp;

The three-member bench that will hear the petition will be headed by new Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, considered the country's top expert in criminal law and who helped draft the decision to acquit Bibi.

Blasphemy continues to be a massively inflammatory issue in Pakistan, where even unproven accusations of insulting Islam can spark lynchings.&nbsp;

Approximately 40 people are believed to be on death row or serving a life sentence for blasphemy, according to a 2018 report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

Many cases see Muslims accusing Muslims. But rights activists have warned that minorities -- particularly Christians -- are often caught in the crossfire, with blasphemy charges used to settle personal scores.

Speculation has been rife since Bibi's acquittal that an asylum deal with a European or North American country may be in the works.

The allegations against her date back to 2009, when Muslim women accused her of blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed, a charge punishable by death under the colonial-era legislation.

Her case drew the attention of international rights groups and swiftly became the most high-profile in the country.

Pope Benedict XVI called for her release in 2010, while in 2015 her daughter met his successor and the current head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis.

Pakistan's Supreme Court will decide on January 29 whether to allow an appeal against its acquittal of a Christian woman at the centre of a blasphemy row, a lawyer involved in the case said Thursday.

Pakistan's Supreme Court will decide on January 29 whether to allow an appeal against its acquittal of a Christian woman at the centre of a blasphemy row, a lawyer involved in the case said Thursday. If the court refuses to allow the appeal, it will remove the last legal hurdle facing Asia Bibi, who is a prime target in conservative Muslim-majority Pakistan and remains in protective custody. Bibi was on death row for eight years for blasphemy, a hugely sensitive charge. The Supreme Court's decision in October last year to overturn her conviction ignited days of violent demonstrations, with enraged Islamists calling for her beheading, mutiny within the powerful military and the assassination of the country's top judges. The government has since launched a crackdown on the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) party -- the Islamist group driving the violent protests -- charging its leaders with sedition and terrorism. But authorities also struck a deal with the protesters to end the violence, forming an agreement which included allowing a final review of the Supreme Court's judgement. On January 29, "the court will determine if our appeal against her acquittal is admitted", Ghulam Mustafa Chaudhry, the lawyer who filed the petition seeking an appeal, told AFP. "Usually the court decides on the same day if the appeal is admitted or not," he added. Under Pakistan's creaky legal system any private citizen can petition the courts on any matter of public interest or human rights, as in the Bibi case. However legal experts said it would be highly unusual for the Supreme Court to overturn its own decision, especially one that as carefully drafted as the Bibi ruling. "It is very rare," lawyer Saad Rasool told AFP. The three-member bench that will hear the petition will be headed by new Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, considered the country's top expert in criminal law and who helped draft the decision to acquit Bibi. Blasphemy continues to be a massively inflammatory issue in Pakistan, where even unproven accusations of insulting Islam can spark lynchings. Approximately 40 people are believed to be on death row or serving a life sentence for blasphemy, according to a 2018 report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. Many cases see Muslims accusing Muslims. But rights activists have warned that minorities -- particularly Christians -- are often caught in the crossfire, with blasphemy charges used to settle personal scores. Speculation has been rife since Bibi's acquittal that an asylum deal with a European or North American country may be in the works. The allegations against her date back to 2009, when Muslim women accused her of blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed, a charge punishable by death under the colonial-era legislation. Her case drew the attention of international rights groups and swiftly became the most high-profile in the country. Pope Benedict XVI called for her release in 2010, while in 2015 her daughter met his successor and the current head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis.

Pakistan's Supreme Court to decide on Asia Bibi appeal January 29: Lawyer

A hardline Pakistani Islamist group has warned of "terrible consequences" if a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy is granted leniency in her appeal due to begin on Monday, a case that has drawn global headlines and indignation.

The Supreme Court is set to hear an appeal by Asia Bibi, a mother of four, who in 2010 became the first woman to be sentenced to death under Pakistan's draconian blasphemy laws. This is due to be her final appeal, media reported.

Her case has outraged Christians worldwide and been a source of division within Pakistan, where two politicians who sought to help Bibi were assassinated, including Punjab governor Salman Taseer, who was shot by his own bodyguard.

The ultra-religious Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) party, which makes punishing blasphemy its main campaign rallying cry and lionizes the bodyguard who killed Taseer, warned the court against any "concession or softness" for Bibi.

"If there is any attempt to hand her over to a foreign country, there will be terrible consequences," TLP said in a statement.

Insulting Islam's prophet is punishable by death under Pakistani law, and blasphemy accusations stir such emotions that they are almost impossible to defend against. Dozens have been killed following blasphemy claims, sometimes by mobs of men.

TLP won over 2 million votes in the July 25 elections, though it has no parliamentarians in the National Assembly and only holds two provincial seats. But it wields outsized influence due to street power of its die-hard supporters.

In November, TLP staged a crippling blockade of the capital after a tweak to a religious oath, which it claims was tantamount to blasphemy. Seven people were killed and more than 200 wounded in clashes with the police and TLP's supporters only dispersed after striking a deal with the military.

In May, an extremist linked to TLP shot and wounded Pakistan's then-Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal.

Bibi was sentenced to death for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Islam after neighbours objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not Muslim.

Bibi has always denied blaspheming and her representatives have claimed she was involved in a dispute with her neighbours and that her accusers had contradicted themselves.

Rights groups say the blasphemy law is increasingly exploited by religious extremists as well as ordinary Pakistanis to settle personal scores. The law does not define blasphemy and evidence might not be reproduced in court for fear of committing a fresh offence.

"Aasia Bibi has become a symbol of all that happens to religious minorities where class and prejudice intersect and a dysfunctional justice system is unable to protect Pakistan’s non-Muslim citizens," the English-language Daily Times said in an editorial on Monday.

A hardline Pakistani Islamist group has warned of "terrible consequences" if a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy is granted leniency in her appeal due to begin on Monday, a case that has drawn global headlines and indignation.

A hardline Pakistani Islamist group has warned of "terrible consequences" if a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy is granted leniency in her appeal due to begin on Monday, a case that has drawn global headlines and indignation. The Supreme Court is set to hear an appeal by Asia Bibi, a mother of four, who in 2010 became the first woman to be sentenced to death under Pakistan's draconian blasphemy laws. This is due to be her final appeal, media reported. Her case has outraged Christians worldwide and been a source of division within Pakistan, where two politicians who sought to help Bibi were assassinated, including Punjab governor Salman Taseer, who was shot by his own bodyguard. The ultra-religious Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) party, which makes punishing blasphemy its main campaign rallying cry and lionizes the bodyguard who killed Taseer, warned the court against any "concession or softness" for Bibi. "If there is any attempt to hand her over to a foreign country, there will be terrible consequences," TLP said in a statement. Insulting Islam's prophet is punishable by death under Pakistani law, and blasphemy accusations stir such emotions that they are almost impossible to defend against. Dozens have been killed following blasphemy claims, sometimes by mobs of men. TLP won over 2 million votes in the July 25 elections, though it has no parliamentarians in the National Assembly and only holds two provincial seats. But it wields outsized influence due to street power of its die-hard supporters. In November, TLP staged a crippling blockade of the capital after a tweak to a religious oath, which it claims was tantamount to blasphemy. Seven people were killed and more than 200 wounded in clashes with the police and TLP's supporters only dispersed after striking a deal with the military. In May, an extremist linked to TLP shot and wounded Pakistan's then-Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal. Bibi was sentenced to death for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Islam after neighbours objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not Muslim. Bibi has always denied blaspheming and her representatives have claimed she was involved in a dispute with her neighbours and that her accusers had contradicted themselves. Rights groups say the blasphemy law is increasingly exploited by religious extremists as well as ordinary Pakistanis to settle personal scores. The law does not define blasphemy and evidence might not be reproduced in court for fear of committing a fresh offence. "Aasia Bibi has become a symbol of all that happens to religious minorities where class and prejudice intersect and a dysfunctional justice system is unable to protect Pakistan’s non-Muslim citizens," the English-language Daily Times said in an editorial on Monday.

Pakistani Islamists warn of 'terrible consequences' over blasphemy appeal

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WATCH| Pak CAA employee threatens Christian woman with blasphemy case, suspended

Asia Bibi who spent 8 years in Pak jail, breaks silence

Pakistan's Supreme Court to decide on Asia Bibi appeal January 29: Lawyer

Pakistani Islamists warn of 'terrible consequences' over blasphemy appeal