A Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy after spending eight years on death row in Pakistan has left for Canada to be reunited with her daughters, her lawyer says.

Key points: Asia Bibi was convicted of making derogatory remarks about Islam after neighbours objected to her drinking water from their glass

Asia Bibi was convicted of making derogatory remarks about Islam after neighbours objected to her drinking water from their glass Her acquittal last year sparked rioting by hardline Islamists, who rejected the Supreme Court's verdict

Her acquittal last year sparked rioting by hardline Islamists, who rejected the Supreme Court's verdict The case has brought international attention to Pakistan's controversial blasphemy law

"I have inquired within available channels, and according to them she has left for Canada," Ms Bibi's lawyer, Saif Ul Malook, said.

A close friend of Ms Bibi also confirmed that she had left the country, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.

Ms Bibi, a farm worker and mother, was convicted in 2010 of making derogatory remarks about Islam after neighbours working in the fields with her objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not Muslim.

She spent eight years on death row until the Supreme Court last year overturned her conviction — a finding that was upheld earlier this year — and she has since been in protective custody.

In November, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country was in talks with Pakistan about helping her.

Asia Bibi was convicted in 2010 of making derogatory remarks about Islam. ( AP: File )

Ms Bibi's release sparked rioting by hardline Islamists, who rejected the Supreme Court's verdict and warned Prime Minister Imran Khan's Government that she must not be allowed to leave the country.

They also called for Ms Bibi, who has been staying at an undisclosed location under tight security, to be killed.

The case has brought international attention to Pakistan's controversial blasphemy law, which carries an automatic death penalty.

The mere suspicion of blasphemy against Islam is enough to ignite mob lynchings in the country.

The friend, who last spoke to her on Tuesday, said Ms Bibi and her husband Ashiq Masih had spent the last several weeks getting their documents in order.

He said she was longing to see her daughters, with whom she talked almost daily from her secure location, protected by Pakistani security forces.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Reuters/AP