Christian group condemns assassination of Pakistani governor

Christian Solidarity Worldwide has condemned the murder of Pakistani Governor Salman Taseer.

Mr Taseer, Governor of Punjab Province, died after being shot by one of his bodyguards at a market in Islamabad today.

The bodyguard has been arrested by police along with five other suspects. According to CSW, the bodyguard has stated that his motivation for the killing was Mr Taseer’s support for amendments to Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.

Although a Muslim, Mr Taseer had become an outspoken critic of the blasphemy laws following a court judge’s decision to sentence Christian woman Asia Bibi to death for blasphemy last November.

CSW said it was a “tragic reminder of the extreme danger” faced by opponents of the country’s blasphemy laws.

Pakistani human rights activist Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry, who knew the Governor, said the killing was “absolutely shameful”.

“This shooting is tragic and should never have happened,” he said.

Pakistan has come under pressure from the international community to repeal its blasphemy laws since the conviction of Asia Bibi.

The blasphemy laws make it a criminal offence to blaspheme against the Prophet Muhammad or desecrate the Koran.

The crime carries a death sentence, although so far those sentenced to death have later been acquitted.

Human rights groups such as CSW say that the blasphemy laws are being misused by Islamic extremists to settle personal scores and vendettas.

CSW’s Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas, condemned the murder.

He said: “His death is a tragic reminder of the extreme danger faced by all those who stand for justice in opposition to the blasphemy laws in Pakistan, whether politicians, journalists, lawyers or activists.

“How many more lives must be destroyed before this legislation is repealed?”