ASIA/PAKISTAN - Taseer murder, justice to the test

Wednesday, 28 January 2015

Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) - The High Court in Islamabad held its first hearing yesterday, January 27, in the appeal of Mumtaz Qadri, self-confessed killer of Punjab governor Salman Taseer, which occurred on 4th January 2011. Qadri admitted his guilt and said he killed Taseer because of the governor's support for a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, who had been charged with blaspheming against Prophet Mohammad. The hearing has been adjourned to February 3.
In the whole country, protesters from Sunni Tehrik chant slogans in favor of Mumtaz Qadri's release and warn the Government for dire consequences if Qadri is not released. He is considered "hero" of Islam by Sunni Tehrik. Reportedly, hundreds of Sunni Tehrik and Shabab-e-Milli Tehrik were present outside the court and chanted slogans in favors of Mumtaz Qadri. Reportedly strict security arrangements were made and the road to High court was blocked with barricades and a large number of police and special force personnel were deployed at buildings in the surrounding areas.
Christian Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill, Human Rights Defender and head of LEAD said that the human Rights Defenders had had great concern on this appeal case of Qadri because “if Qadri were be acquitted from Salman murder case then the fear of insecurity of life would be increased among them. The fueling to religious intolerance and violence will be stopped by condemning such elements of society who take law in their hands to harass peace workers".
Mumtaz Qadri, a constable in the Punjab Police and member of its elite force, had filed an appeal before the court on 6 October, 2011. The judge who sentenced him was later forced to flee the country after receiving death threats. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 28/01/2015)


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