Pakistani minister denies release of Christian blasphemy accused

Thrissur, India, November 22 (ENInews)--There is confusion about the fate of a
Christian woman sentenced to death under Pakistan's draconian blasphemy law
after a minister in the country's government denied reports that President Asif
Ali Zardari has ordered her release.

"This is not true," Shahbaz Bhatti, the federal minister for minorities, told
ENInews on 22 November from his office in Islamabad regarding the release of
Aasia Bibi, who was sentenced to death on 9 November for blasphemy.

The verdict had led to widespread international criticism ranging from human
rights groups to the churches, with Pope Benedict XVI calling for her release.