Bhatti calls Taseer's assassination an act to 'sabotage peace and interfaith harmony'

Islamabad, Jan 10 (ANI): Pakistan's Minister for Minorities Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti has called the assassination of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer as an act to sabotage peace in the country, adding that the killer wanted to disturb peace and interfaith harmony in the country as Taseer had always tried to protect the minorities' rights.

Addressing a congregation at Fatima Church, Bhatti urged all liberal and political forces to come forward and help each other in eradicating the unscrupulous elements that wanted to dismantle peace and harmony in Pakistan, the Daily Times reports.

He further said that the slain Governor was against the misuse of blasphemy laws implemented in the country, adding that the extremist wanted to destabilize Pakistan by creating anarchy in the country.

"Militancy has creped into every segment of society, whether they are police or army or bureaucracy, this intolerance has become a disease in our society," Bhatti added.

Earlier this month, 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. (ANI)