United Nations condemns assassination of Pak Punjab governor

New York, Jan 5(ANI): United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the assassination of Pakistan Punjab Governor Salman Taseer.

"The Secretary General extends his condolences to the family of Taseer and to the Government and people of Pakistan," the Nation quoted Ban's spokesman, as saying in statement.

Taseer, whom Ban described as a "prominent leader" was shot at close range by one of his guards in Islamabad on Tuesday.

It is the most high-profile political killing in Pakistan since former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination in December 2007.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik had earlier confirmed that Taseer's bodyguard Malik Mumtaz Qadri had confessed to assassinating the governor because of his support for the release of Asia Bibi.

Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, has been sentenced to death by a lower court for violating Pakistan's laws against blaspheming Muhammad. (ANI)