The president has called for a report from the Ministry of Minorities Affairs over the sentencing to death of the Christian woman for blasphemy, a statement from the president's house said.

Aasia Bibi, a resident of Nankana Sahib in Punjab was sentenced to death under Sections 295 B and C of the Pakistan Penal code, following an incident in which an altercation took place between her and her co-workers over the issue of fetching water from fields. Media reports said police took her into protective custody to shield her from an angry mob and later registered a case of blasphemy against her.

Farhatullah Babar said the president asked the Minorities Affairs Minister Shahbaz Bhatti to submit a report within three days.

Earlier, Pope Benedict XVI had appealed to the government of Pakistan to free Aasia Bibi, mother of five.

Aasia Bibi was sentenced on charges of blasphemy and has been in prison for over a year.

According to reports and an investigation by the National Commission on the Status of Women, Aasia is a victim of vendetta. A landlord is said to have framed the woman to settle scores.