LAHORE Punjab Governor Salman Taseer Saturday said the death sentence awarded to Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, was a matter of great concern, as no incident involving blasphemy had even occurred. According to a handout, Salman expressed these views while meeting Asia at Sheikhupura Jail. Governors wife Amina Taseer and daughter Shahar Bano also accompanied him. Salman said no one could be allowed to take law into his hand in the country of Quaid-i-Azam, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. As the constitutional head of Punjab, I received the appeal for mercy that would be forwarded to the President of Pakistan, he said while adding that the president would grant pardon to the victimised woman. I dont want to interfere in the court matter but the President of Pakistan enjoys the right of remitting sentence of a punished person. I want to see Pakistan as an enlightened and moderate country, Salman remarked. Talking to mediamen, Asia said the conspiracy was a result of a quarrel over water and even she could not think of committing sacrilege of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). It is just a blame, she added. She claimed that Tufail Numberdaar got registration of a wrong case against her and the police did not listen to her while the locals had also tortured her brutally. The Christian woman expressed the hope hoped that President Zardari would quash the sentence.The 45-year-old is the first woman in Pakistan who has sentenced to death on the charges of blasphemy by a court in Nankana district last Monday. The incident dates back to June 2009 when a group of Muslim women labourers asked Asia not to touch their water bowl, as she was a non-Muslim, which resulted in an argument. After some days, the Muslim women visited a local cleric where they accused Asia of passing derogatory remarks about the Holy Prophet (PBUH), on which the cleric reported the matter to the police. Asia was arrested from Ittanwalai village and prosecuted under Section 295-C of the PPC, which carries the death penalty for blasphemy. It is pertinent to mention that the human rights activists are continuously raising voice against the controversial legislation, as they say the law relating to blasphemy may be used for personal reasons and gains; therefore it must be reviewed to protect the innocent people. Monitoring Desk adds: The President will soon review a petition to free Asia Bibi, Taseer told CNN on Saturday. He said Asia Bibi signed her petition for mercy on Saturday when he visited her at the prison where she had been jailed for nearly 15 months. Taseer said he would now personally submit the petition to President Zardari. I want to send a strong message that we are here for the protection of minorities, Taseer told CNN. We dont want them to be targeted by these kind of laws.