Reports of Asiya Bibi leaving Pakistan false: Govt

Agencies

November 12, 2018

Islamabad, Nov 12: Pakistan's Foreign Office on Sunday refuted social media reports of Asiya Bibi, the Christian woman, who was acquitted by the Supreme Court for blasphemy charges last month, of leaving the country.

Terming the reports as "false and baseless", a spokesperson for the Foreign Office said, "Asiya Bibi has not left Pakistan and she is in the country," Geo News reported.

Last week, the Foreign Office had dismissed reports of Asiya and her family leaving Pakistan.

On November 7, Asiya was released from a women's prison in Multan after the completion of all formalities by the jail administration. However, speculations were rife that she had left the country soon after she was released from prison.

On October 31, mass protests had erupted in various parts of Pakistan after the country's top court acquitted Asiya pertaining to a blasphemy case.

A three-judge special bench headed by Justice Nisar, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel heard Asiya's 2014 appeal against her conviction and death sentence and overturned the ruling in favour of her.

Asiya was convicted and sentenced to death in 2010 for allegedly insulting Islam during an argument with three Muslim women.

Meanwhile, Asiya's lawyer, Saif-ul-Mulook, who fled Pakistan, following threats to his life told CNN last week that an asylum application was filed in the Netherlands for Asiya and her family, and the same was submitted to the authorities.

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US attempted 93 ‘regime change’ operations across the world since 1946, admits envoy

News Network

December 7,2025

Since 1946, the United States has attempted 93 coups or “regime change” operations across the world — including two in Iran, US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack has admitted.

Speaking to the UAE-based IMI Media Group, in remarks published by The National, Barrack said Washington tried twice to overthrow the Iranian government but failed both times.

“For (Trump) then to be imputed with regime change — we had two regime changes in Iran already. Neither one worked. So I think wisely leave it to the region to solve,” said Barrack, who also serves as the US ambassador to Turkey.

His comments come six months after the US joined Israel in airstrikes against Iran during ongoing indirect nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

On June 13, Israel launched an attack on Iran that killed at least 1,064 people and hit civilian infrastructure. Days later, the United States targeted three nuclear facilities — Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan — in what Iran called a clear violation of international law. Iranian retaliation eventually forced a halt to the assault on June 24.

Barrack further claimed that US President Donald Trump and Foreign Secretary Marco Rubio are “not into regime change” and prefer a regional approach driven by Middle Eastern countries themselves. According to him, regional dialogue and non-interference by outside powers offer a more durable path forward.

He added that Washington is still open to an agreement with Tehran if Iranian authorities show “seriousness” and willingness to engage constructively.

However, Iran maintains the US has not shown readiness for meaningful talks. In an interview with Japan’s Kyodo News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations could advance only if Washington acknowledges Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy and lifts unilateral sanctions.

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