ISLAMABAD: Minister for minorities condemned a cleric for offering cash to anyone who kills Aasia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman convicted of blasphemy against Islam.

The minister, Shahbaz Bhatti, said the offer is ''immoral, unjust and irresponsible'' and should be condemned in the ''strongest possible manner''.

A Pakistani court sentenced Asia Bibi to death last month, triggering protests from human rights groups and Christian organisations. Religio-political parties have demonstrated in support of the sentence and the blasphemy laws.

Cleric Yousuf Qureshi said Friday that if the government did not execute Aasia, his mosque would pay anyone who killed her $5,800.

Bhatti called Saturday for authorities to ensure the safety of Aasia and her family.