Pakistani Minister Assassinated For Opposing Blasphemy Laws
For the second time this year, a Pakistani government official was assassinated for his opposition to the 30-year old anti-blasphemy laws.
Gunmen killed Pakistan’s minister for minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti, Wednesday, in the second attack this year on a high-profile figure who has opposed the country’s blasphemy law.
Witnesses say the attackers fled the scene in their car without hurting Bhatti’s driver, who then rushed him to the nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. City Police Chief Wajid Durrani spoke to reporters outside the hospital.
The police officer said the attackers intercepted Bhatti’s official car shortly after he left his residence for work and shot him several times at close range.
The slain minister belonged to the ruling party of President Asif Ali Zardari and was the only Christian member of the federal cabinet.
Don’t expect Zardari and other government officials to attend the funeral either - lest they give the impression that they support the repeal of those anti-blasphemy laws.