This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/4710

Pakistani Politician Who Opposed Blasphemy Law Killed

January 5, 2011

January 5 2011- Militant Islam Monitor -Salman Taseer, a Pakistani politician close to president Asif Ali Zardari who opposed the death penalty for blasphemy against Islam and Mohammed was gunned down by his own bodyguard yesterday.

Taseer had campaigned for the release of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who was sentenced to death for allegedly insulting Mohammed.

People shouted "Allahu Akhbar" (God is Great) threw rose petals and clapped when the killer was lead into court. Over 300 lawyers have volunteered their services to defend him.

This latest killing is more proof that Pakistan becoming a hardline Islamist state.

According to Reuters:

"Washington may look at Taseer's killing and some of the reaction to it as further signs that Pakistan is too unstable to be an effective ally against the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan". http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE7042ZZ20110105

This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/4710