Mumtaz Qadri: Convicted killer of Punjab’s former governor hanged in Pakistan sparking protests

The murder of Salman Taseer in 2011 is one of the most high-profile murders in Pakistan

(EPA)

Pakistan hanged Mumtaz Qadri on Monday, the former police bodyguard convicted of killing the Punjab governor he had been assigned to protect in one of the country’s most high profile assassinations.

Qadri opened fire on Salman Taseer and repeatedly shot him in a market square in Islamabad in 2011 while he was meant to be on guard duty for the governor.

Mr Taseer had been campaigning in support of a Christian woman jailed under blasphemy laws for allegedly desecrating the Quran. He had called for reforms on Pakistan’s harsh blasphemy laws, which impose the death sentence for insulting Islam.

Qadri later told police he killed the governor because he had spoken out against the blasphemy laws. At the time of the murder, thousands of people took to the streets in support of Qadri’s views.

The convicted killer was hanged at 4:30am on Monday morning, a move which sparked protests across several cities and saw schools closed down in Islamabad over fears of violence erupting.

Police official Sohail Ahmad said Qadri’s supporters blocked roads and burned tyres, forcing local businesses to close. In Qadri’s hometown of Rawalpindi a group of local TV reporters were attacked in their car while protesters clashed with police in Karachi.

AFP reports that a heavy police presence has been placed at Qadri’s home in Islamabad while security forces are on high alert.

Qadri’s funeral will be held near Rawalpindi on Tuesday. It is expected to attract large numbers of Qadri’s supporters.

Additional reporting by AP