Pakistan Executes Assassin of Punjab Governor

The religious parties took to the streets on Monday in different cities against execution of Mumtaz Qadri, killer of governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer, prompting authorities to beef up security across major spots.

“Qadri was hanged at around 4.30am”, senior police officer Rizwan Omar Gondal said. He requested anonymity because of the controversy surrounding the case.

Supporters of former police bodyguard Mumtaz Qadri hold posters bearing his image, outside the High …

Protesters briefly blocked the main road between Rawalpindi and Islamabad today after news of the hanging broke.

Qadri’s attorney said his client told him he had no regrets for killing the governor.

“We started crying, but he hugged us and chanted ‘God is great, ‘” Abid said.

“Riot police have already been deployed in all sensitive areas and the Red Zone”.

A police spokesman said security forces were on high alert and extra police were being deployed to clear the roads.

AFP adds: Some people on Twitter were hailing the execution, calling it “justice served”.

An anti-terrorism court sentenced Qadri to death on two counts for murder and terrorism.

Qadri was on guard duty for secular Governor Salman Taseer who was campaigning in support of a Christian woman jailed for years on accusations of blasphemy.

Qadri was lauded by religious conservatives, and in his first court appearance was showered with rose petals by supporters.

Critics say the law has been often misused to suppress minorities and also settle personal scores.

A review petition of Qadri was also turned down by the top court on December 14 a year ago, leaving him with the last option of to file a clemency appeal to President Mamnoon Hussain.