Mumtaz Qadri, the killer of former Punjab governor Salman Taseer, was hanged at the Adiala Jail at around 4.30am on Monday.
Qadri, an Elite Force commando, had shot Taseer 28 times in broad daylight in Islamabad’s Kohsar Market on January 4, 2011. He was sentenced to death for assassinating Taseer on October 1 the same year.
His mercy appeal was rejected by President Mamnoon Hussain.
“I can confirm that Qadri was hanged in Adialia jail early Monday morning,” senior local police official Sajjid Gondal said.
A prison official confirmed the execution of Qadri.
“I have no regrets,” Qadri’s brother Malik Abid said as tears rolled down his cheeks.
He said the family had been called to the prison Sunday evening by officials who said Qadri was unwell.
But when they arrived, he greeted them with the news that authorities had deceived them, and that his execution was imminent.
“We started crying, but he hugged us,” Abid said.
In August 2011, Salman Taseer’s son was kidnapped from his car in Lahore. Shahbaz Taseer’s whereabouts still remain untraced.
All routes leading to the Adiala Jail were sealed. LEAs personnel were also deployed across the city in view of agitation and protests.
Read more: Pakistan on alert as Salmaan Taseer’s killer hanged
The body of Mumtaz Qadri was handed over to his family members and was moved from the jail under tight security cover.
Qadri’s last meeting with his family was arranged late on Sunday night.
An anti-terrorism court here sentenced Qadri to death on two counts for murder and terrorism in Oct, 2011.
Also read: President Mamnoon to decide on mercy plea of Salman Taseer’s killer
Dozens of Rangers and police in riot gear as well as ambulances were stationed outside Qadri’s home in the city early Monday.
Protesters torched tyres against Qadri’s execution in Hyderabad.