Pakistan: Christian woman on death row likely to be pardoned

A Pakistani Christian woman who was sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy is likely to be pardoned by President Asif Ali Zardari.

According to reports, an appeal for clemency has been made for Asia Bibi who is the first woman to be sentenced to death under Pakistan's controversial blasphemy law.

Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan's minister for minority affairs, said Saturday that President Zardari asked for a report on the case and has the power to pardon Bibi.

"The president has taken notice of this case ... he is concerned on this issue," Bhatti said, adding that Zardari has the power to pardon her even ahead of the court appeal, as reported by the Associated Press.

Human rights groups have expressed concern at the death sentence given to Asia by the district and sessions court of Nanakana Sahib, which convicted her for allegedly defaming the Prophet Mohammed.

Asia was sentenced in June 2009 and has been in jail for over a year. She has denied the charge of blasphemy and told investigators that she was being persecuted for her faith.

Human rights groups and religious leaders including Pope Benedict XVI have condemned the death sentence and have called for a revision of the country's blasphemy laws.

Punjab Governor Salman Taseer who visited Asia at the prison and signed her petition for mercy said he examined the woman's case and believed there was no incident of blasphemy.

"She is a poor helpless woman who had no legal defence. She does not even have the resources to help herself," he was quoted by the Press Trust of India as saying.

During a brief press conference at the prison, Asia said the allegations against her were fabricated and that she had made no derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammed.

Pakistan's blasphemy laws have been in the past frequently misused for personal vendettas leading to protests from civil society groups.