Bhatti killers enemies of Pakistan: PM Gilani
March 4th, 2011 - 2:47 pm ICT by IANS
Islamabad, March 4 (IANS) The murder of Pakistan’s minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti, a Christian, was another attempt by enemies of the state to defame the country and the philosophy of tolerance, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said.
The prime minister said that in Islam, anyone’s murder was a condemnable act and clearly shows that elements behind this heinous crime were enemies of humanity and the state, Geo News reported.
Bhatti, 42, was shot dead March 2 as he left his mother’s house in a posh locality in the heart of Islamabad.
This was the second assassination in less than two months over a controversial blasphemy law. Punjab governor Salman Taseer was killed by his own bodyguard Jan 4.
Both men had been seeking reform in the country’s anti-minority blasphemy law and sought presidential pardon for Aasia Bibi, a 45-year-old Christian woman sentenced to death on charges of insulting the Prophet.
Gilani said he also celebrated Christmas at a church last year with the Christian community. The event was organised by Bhatti, he said.
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Tags: aasia, blasphemy law, bodyguard, christian woman, enemies of the state, geo news, gilani, heinous crime, islam, islamabad, killers, locality, minorities, presidential pardon, prime minister, prophet, raza, salman taseer, shahbaz, yousuf