South Asia News

Pakistan court gives death sentence to assassin of liberal governor

Oct 1, 2011, 7:23 GMT

A file picture of Pakistani security officials detain Mumtaz Hussain Qadri (R), one of their colleagues who allegedly killed Salman Taseer, the governor of Pakistan\'s most populous province of Punjab. EPA/MD NADEEM

Islamabad = An anti-terrorist court in Pakistan on Saturday ordered the death sentence for the convicted killer of a politician gunned down in January for criticizing the country's blasphemy laws.

Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri killed Salman Taseer, the leader of ruling Pakistan People Party and governor of the eastern province of Punjab as he came out of a restaurant in Islamabad.

State-run Pakistan Television said Qadri was sentenced by judge Pervez Ali Shah of the special court on two counts of intentional murder and terrorism.

The hearing was held in neighboring Rawalpindi city for security reasons, as dozens of Qadri's supporters gathered outside the jail and chanted slogans in his favor.

Some of the protestors also carried his photograph.

The murder shocked moderates, but hardline Islamic parties angered by Taseer's demand to revise the blasphemy laws hailed the murderer and presented him flowers when he was brought to the court soon after the killing.

The controversial blasphemy laws introduced by former military dictator General Zia ul Haq in the 1980s recommend death for anyone uttering derogatory remarks against the prophet of Islam.

The laws have been criticized by liberal segments of the nation due to their frequent misuse against minorities and other vulnerable groups.