LAHORE/ISLAMABAD – Mumtaz Qadri who assassinated Punjab governor confessed that he killed Salmaan Taseer because he (the governor) committed what he said ‘blasphemy’ towards Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), a private TV channel reported on Tuesday.
A private Samaa television channel reported that the killer confessed his offence, saying Taseer was gustakh-e-rasool (disrespectful towards prophethood) and death was the ultimate punishment for the sacrilege.
Talking to reporters, Interior Affairs Minister Rehman Malik confirmed that the killer of the Punjab governor has been arrested. The killer took offence at statements issued by the late Taseer regarding the blasphemy law, he said, adding investigations would be held as to if there was anyone behind the assassination.
Mumtaz Qadri was a member of the Elite Force of the Punjab Police, deployed to protect the governor, the minister said, adding the killer surrendered himself to police after committed the crime. An inquiry team has been constituted into the incident, and would submit its report with 24 hours, he said.
FUNERAL TO BE HELD IN LAHORE – Senior Punjab Minister Raja Riaz Ahmed told reporters that funeral prayer for Salmaan Taseer would be offered at the Governor House in Lahore on Wednesday. He said that the Punjab government did not provide any bullet-proof vehicle to Salmaan Taseer, despite the late governor demanded from the government.
