US uniformly opposes blasphemy laws anywhere in world: Pompeo

The US on Wednesday said that it uniformly opposes blasphemy laws anywhere in the world as it welcomed the reunification of Pakistani Christian woman Aasia Bibi with he family in Canada, months after her death sentence was overturned.

Bibi, a mother of four from Punjab province, was taken out of Pakistan after repeated death threats from religious extremists, following the quashing of her conviction for blasphemy last year.

The 47-year-old mother of four was convicted in 2010 after being accused of insulting Islam in a row with her neighbours. She always maintained her innocence, but has spent most of the past eight years in solitary confinement.

Bibi's counsel Saiful Malook confirmed that she has reached Canada.

"The United States welcomes the news that Asia Bibi has safely reunited with her family, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.

This important step follows the decision of Pakistan's Supreme Court to acquit her of blasphemy charges in October 2018 a decision that was subsequently upheld in January 2019, Pompeo said.

Asia Bibi is now free, and we wish her and her family all the best following their reunification. The United States uniformly opposes blasphemy laws anywhere in the world, as they jeopardize the exercise of fundamental freedoms, Pompeo.

Asia Noreen, commonly known as Asia Bibi, was the first woman to be sentenced to death under Pakistan's controversial blasphemy laws. Under Pakistan's penal code, the offense of blasphemy is punishable by death or life imprisonment.

She was kept at a secret location while arrangements were made for her to leave the country.

The Supreme Court's quashing of her sentence on October 31 last year led to violent protests by religious hardliners who support strong blasphemy laws, while more liberal sections of society urged her release.