The case of Aasia Bibi, the woman sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy in Pakistan hangs in balance with expectations that President Zardari will grant her a presidential pardon.
However, religious parties have said that if Zardari pardons Aasia Bibi, they will protest on the streets as they feel that people who commit blasphemy are let off without punishment.
Despite the death sentence meted out to Aasia Bibi, no one in Pakistan has been sent to the gallows or received the full sentence allowed under the country’s controversial blasphemy laws.
Aasia Bibi, a 45-year-old Christian woman, was sentenced to death by an district and sessions court in Sheikhupura on November 9, 2010, for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad. Aasia told investigators that she was being persecuted for her faith.