Hopes have been raised that Asia Bibi, the Pakistani Christain sentenced to death in Punjab for blasphemy, may soon be pardoned. The minorities minister said he was optimistic about her release and the local governor said he put forth a petition to President Zardari. Yet, even if Bibi receives a pardon after 18 months in prison, the blasphemy law will likely be retained. Critics claim the law is used to terrorise Pakistan’s minorities. In this case, Muslim women refused to drink water brought by an “unclean” Christian before an altercation took place