The solitary Christian minister in Pakistan’s government minister, Shahbaz Bhatti, has been killed by Muslim extremists because of his resistance to the nation’s “blasphemy law,” according to international reports.
Bhatti, whose governmental portfolio was Minister for Minorities, was shot and killed by gunmen when driving to work on Wednesday morning. He was killed immediately in the attacks, and early reports indicate that the Pakastani Taliban have taken responsibility for the murder.
Pamphlets were left at the murder scene warning others that a similar fate would befall them if they opposed the blasphemy law. Pakistan’s blasphemy law allows the prosecution and sentencing of anyone deemed to have insulted another religion, although the definitions of the law are dangerously vague. The law has already built up a history of being abused by individuals who falsely report neighbours or business colleagues as a means of sorting out a personal vendetta.
Pakistan’s blasphemy law gained international infamy due to the case of Asia Biba, a Christian woman accused of blasphemy after arguing her religious beliefs after being insulted by other women in her majority-Muslim village. Biba admits defending Christianity, but denies any negative comments regarding Mohammed or Islam in general. Her conviction to death under the blasphemy law resulted in an international outcry, and led to other governments and human rights groups petitioning Pakistan to repeal or reform the law.
Bhatti’s murder follows the assassination of Salman Taseer, the governor of the state of Punjab, also by religious extremists, and also for opposing the blasphemy law. Following Taseer’s murder, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari was scared off his plans to reform the law.
Bhatti was one of the few ministers courageous enough to openly condemn Taseer’s killing. In a recent interview with with The Telegraph, Bhatti said he was willing to die for protecting the rights of religious minorities in Pakistan.
“I am following the cross, and I am ready to die for a cause I am living for my community and suffering people, and I will die to defend their rights,” he asserted.