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.
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