'Courageous' Salmaan Taseer's sacrifice will not go waste: Zardari

Lahore, Jan 7(ANI): Slain Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer was courageous enough to stand up to bigots and fanatics in Pakistan, and his sacrifice will not go waste, President Asif Ali Zardari has said.

On Tuesday, Taseer was assassinated by Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, one of his own elite security force protectors, who opened fire on him because of the governor's support for the release of Pakistani-Christian woman Asia Bibi, who has been sentenced to death on blasphemy charges.

Zardari telephoned Taseer's widow, and expressed his sorrow and grief over the slain governor's murder, the Daily Times reported.

According to PPP sources, President Zardari assured Amna Taseer that "the sacrifice of Salmaan Taseer would not go waste and justice would be provided to her family".

The president also paid tributes to Taseer for his services for the party, calling him an asset for the party and a true follower of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto in treading their path to martyrdom, sources added.

"Taseer's courage and determination in espousing the cause of the marginalised sections of society and readiness to pay the highest price for it will continue to inspire many," President Zardari said.

"Few possess the courage of Salmaan Taseer in standing up to bigots and fanatics, and fewer still the readiness to embrace martyrdom for it," he added.

The president expressed the hope that the elements behind the crime would be exposed and punished according to law.

According to party sources, Amna Taseer thanked Zardari, saying that his words were a source of great strength in this hour of tragedy. (ANI)