Grief-Stricken Pakistanis Bury Slain Minister
Female Pakistani Christians mourn the death of Shahbaz Bhatti, during a rally in his native town Khushpur near Faisalabad, Pakistan, March 4, 2011
Mourners packed a church in Pakistan＇s capital Friday to pay tribute to the country＇s minister for minorities who was assassinated for challenging Pakistan＇s blasphemy law.
Shahbaz Bhatti, the only Christian member of the federal Cabinet, was gunned down Wednesday near his home in Islamabad. The Taliban claimed responsibility, saying they killed the minister because he opposed legislation that imposes the death penalty for insulting Islam.
During Bhatti＇s funeral mass, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani vowed to "bring the culprits to justice." Demonstrators outside the Islamabad church also demanded punishment for the minister＇s killers.
Bhatti＇s body was taken to his ancestral village of Khushpur for burial. There, thousands crowded the streets, demanding justice.
Bhatti is the second high profile official to be killed recently for supporting reforms to the country＇s blasphemy law. Punjab province＇s governor, Salman Taseer, was shot dead in January by one of his bodyguards, who cited the politician＇s opposition to the controversial legislation as justification for the killing. Bhatti and Taseer＇s assassinations have drawn international condemnation.
Christians are the largest religious minority in Pakistan, making up about 5 percent of the population.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari did not attend the mass or the burial.
Security was tightened in both Islamabad and Khushpur.
|
|
