A Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy after eight years on death row in Pakistan has been barred from completing her asylum paperwork while the authorities put pressure on her not to speak ill of the country.

Asia Bibi saw the last legal obstacle to her fleeing Pakistan removed when the Supreme Court threw out a petition by religious conservatives to halt her release more than two weeks ago. It was the climax to a case of that has gripped and divided Pakistan.

Since then the 47-year-old mother of five has disappeared into protective custody and friends and family are increasingly alarmed at the delay. Ms Bibi herself, still facing death threats from Islamist hardliners, is said to be frightened at the lack of information from