LAHORE: A Christian woman condemned to death four years ago for blasphemy is losing hope that she will be freed or pardoned, her husband said on Friday.

Asia Bibi has been on death row since November 2010 after she was found guilty of making derogatory remarks about the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) during an argument with a Muslim woman.

The Lahore High Court confirmed the death sentence two weeks ago, dashing hopes it might be commuted to a jail term.

Speaking to AFP after visiting his wife for the first time since the court’s ruling, Ashiq Masih said it had come as a crushing blow.

“Asia was hopeful that her appeal would be admitted and she would be freed, but now she has lost hope,” said Ashiq, who lives in hiding because of his wife’s conviction. “She was distraught, weeping for most of the time I had with her, appealing to the Supreme Court and president to use their powers to give her justice.”

Ashiq, 50, lives with two of his five children and has to keep his identity secret as he scrapes together a living as a daily labourer.

Amnesty International has voiced concerns about the fairness of her trial and called for her release.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2014