Pakistan shocked by assassination

KARACHI, PAKISTAN - One of Pakistan's most openly progressive politicians was gunned down Tuesday in an act that violently highlighted extremists' tightening grip on the country even as the beleaguered government struggled to stay in power.

The killing of Salman Taseer, apparently at the hands of one of his own guards, marked the most prominent political assassination in Pakistan since former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's death three years ago.

The razor-tongued governor of Pakistan's most populous province was known for speaking out on behalf of women and religious minorities, and his slaying stunned the nation and alarmed U.S. officials. It also further rocked Taseer's ruling Pakistan People's Party, which is desperately trying to keep its government afloat after a key ally's defection to the opposition Sunday.
Read More: Pakistan shocked by assassination

Assassin says killed Salman Taseer over blasphemy law statement

ISLAMABAD: Punjab Governor Salman Taseer was allegedly assassinated by a gunman of Punjab Elite Force Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, Interior Minister Rehman Malik told reporters here on Tuesday.
The minister said the alleged killer had made confession statement of killing the Governor over late Taseer's statement billing the Blasphemy Law as a "black law.
The killer after attacking the governor with his weapon has surrendered to the security forces moments after shooting the governor dead.
Qadri was immediately arrested and police were interrogating him", he added.
Read More: Assassin says killed Salman Taseer over blasphemy law statement

Governor Punjab Taseer assassinated by his own guard

ISLAMABAD: Governor Punjab Salman Taseer was dead after one of his guards, named Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, opened fire on him when he was going towards his car in Kohsar Market here today.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik confirmed to the media that the guard has been arrested. He has confessed that he opened fire on the governor because of his support to Asia Bibi, he added. Asia Bibi was convicted on
Read more: Governor Punjab Taseer assassinated by his own guard

Pakistani governor assassinated by own guard

Pkistan news: Police in Pakistan say the governor of Punjab province was assassinated by his own bodyguard in a gun attack Tuesday in an Islamabad market area.
Police official Mohammad Iftikhar said Salman Taseer was shot by one of his elite protection squad. Five other people were wounded in the attack.
Taseer's death is being called the highest-profile political assassination since the death of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in December 2007Taseer was a member of Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party and was closely tied to President Asif Ali Zardari, who was Bhutto's husband.
Taseer was also a vocal member of Pakistan's ruling party and recently spoke out against Pakistan's blasphemy law.
The shopping area where the attack took place is known as Khosar market and is popular with westerners and wealthy Pakistanis. The market has long been regarded as a potential target of a militant attack.
Read more: Pakistani governor assassinated by own guard

Pakistan's very unhappy new year

Pakistan's very unhappy new year As a powerful governor is gunned down in broad daylight in Islamabad amid a major political crisis, guest columnist Ahmed Rashid says Pakistan faces a bumpy ride this year.
To paraphrase Shakespeare, when crises come to Pakistan they come not as single spies but in battalions.
Among them is a burgeoning economic crisis with massive price increases and severe gas, electricity and fuel shortages, 15% inflation and the stoppage of a vital International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan.
Read More: Pakistan's very unhappy new year

Main Pakistan opposition says will not move against PM

Pakistan’s main opposition group will not push for a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani because to demand such a vote would exacerbate instability, the party said on Tuesday.

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) believes a vote would “damage the whole country,” party chairman Raja Zafar-ul-Haq told Reuters.
Read More: Main Pakistan opposition says will not move against PM