SLAMABAD, PAKISTAN -- Salman Taseer, the governor of the Pakistan's Punjab province, on Tuesday was killed by one of his guards, Ary News Television reported.Taseer was shot dead by a bodyguard as he was stepping out of his vehicle at Kohistar Market in sector F6 of the capital. The assassination was perpetrated for Taseer's opposition towards blasphemy laws.
The Punjab governor was immediately transported to a Polyclinic hospital but died due to the severity of the wounds sustained. He was shot nine times, four in neck, three in chest and two in abdomen.
Afther shooting the governor, the bodyguard threw down his gun and raised both arms. The crime took place on a parking area of the Koshar shopping center, a popular site visited mostly by foreigners.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that Taseer was killed due to his high-profile opposition to the blasphemy laws. He recently supported the pardon for a Christian woman convicted of blasphemy.
Taseer was known for being moderate politician within the main ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP). He also openly expressed himself against the Taliban and other militant groups.
The shooter was identified as Qadri, a member of Taseer's own security team. He admitted perpetrating the crime and declared that he did it in retaliation for Taseer's comments towards the blasphemy law.
Taseer was appointed governor by the PPP-led coalition government in 2008. He previously served as minister for industry and production under former military ruler Pervez Musharraf from 2007 to 2008.
