Pakistani Christian Asia Bibi has revealed her faith in Christ was what got her through her eight years imprisonment in Pakistan for blasphemy charges, where she was on death row.  

In an interview with religious freedom charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Bibi who was acquitted last year, gave a vivid account of how her faith helped her through her darkest hours. 

She said: "During my detention, I held the hand of Christ. It is thanks to him that I have stayed standing. Do not be afraid."

Describing her time in jail, ACN said she gave no impression of anger or bitterness about time in prison or on trial.

The mother from Pakistan's Punjab province was accused of blaspheming against the Islamic Prophet Mohammad in June 2009.

She now wants to use her media profile to speak up for other victims of injustice in her home country, including those falsely accused of blasphemy. 

"It is thanks to the media that I am still alive," she said. 

Bibi spent nine months in Canada following her departure from Pakistan and described how she longs to return to her native country. 

"[Pakistan] is my homeland. I love Pakistan passionately," she said. 

Bibi plans to seek asylum in France, adding: "I have found a lot of love here. I think I'd be fine with you."

During the interview she recalled a childhood in Pakistan where Christians mixed happily with Muslims.

Bibi was baptised at 8-years-old and said she played with Muslim neighbours and "there was no separation." 

She went on to explain how inter-faith relations soured, with growing numbers of Islamist attacks on Christians.

According to ACN Christians, Ahmadi Muslims, Hindus and other religious minorities have experienced a disproportionate number of blasphemy allegations in Pakistan, with many accusations apparently resulting from personal vendettas. 

There are frequent cases involving the abduction and forced conversion of Christian girls who are subjected to forced marriages.