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U.S. Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton has condemned the assassination of
Pakistan Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, calling his death
"a great loss".
Taseer was shot dead on Tuesday in Islamabad by one of his
bodyguards, who opposed his criticism of blasphemy laws.
"We strongly condemn the assassination in Pakistan of Punjab
Provincial Governor Salman Taseer. I had the opportunity to
meet Governor Taseer in Pakistan and I admired his work to
promote tolerance and the education of Pakistan's future
generations. His death is a great loss," the Dawn quoted
Clinton, as saying in a statement. |
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"Our deepest
sympathies are with Governor Taseer's wife and children. The
United States remains committed to helping the government
and people of Pakistan as they persevere in their campaign
to bring peace and stability to their country," she added.
Taseer's bodyguard Malik Mumtaz Qadri shot him in his chest
and neck. The governor died on the spot.
It is the most high-profile political killing in Pakistan
since former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination
in December 2007.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik had earlier confirmed that
Qadri had confessed to assassinating Taseer because of his
support for the release of Asia Bibi.
Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, has been sentenced to death by
a lower court for violating Pakistan's laws against
blaspheming Muhammad. |
