Governor assassinated for opposing blasphemy law

BBC News 06 January 2011

Governor Salman Taseer

The governor of Pakistan's Punjab province, Salman Taseer, was killed by his own bodyguard in Islamabad on January 4, allegedly because he spoke out against the country's controversial blasphemy law.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the guard told police that he killed Taseer because of the governor's opposition to Pakistan's blasphemy law. Taseer recently made headlines for speaking out against the law, which was used to sentence Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, who was convicted of insulting the Prophet Muhammad. Friends of the governor say he knew he was risking his life by speaking out.

Pray the Lord will use the work of Salman Taseer for His good purposes and for the benefit of the Church in Pakistan. Pray there will be great support for reform. Pray the Lord will raise up other leaders who are willing to speak up for the Christian minority in Pakistan.

For more on believers suffering for serving Christ in Pakistan, visit the Pakistan Country Report.

Pakistan

Current Ministry Projects
VOMC partners to train Christian women in sewing skills throughout Pakistan to provide a sustainable source of income for their families and encourage them in their faith and witness for Christ.

Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Women’s Ministry
Country Information
Population
247,653,551 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Punjabi (44.7), Pashtun [Pathan] (15.4), Sindhi (14.1), Saraiki (8.4) Muhajirs (7.6) Balochi (3.6), Other (6.3)

Religion (%)
Islam (96.5), Other - Christian and Hindu (3.5)

Leader
President Asif Ali Zardari (2024)

Government type
Federal parliamentary republic

Legal system
Common law system with Islamic law influence

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Pakistan
Pray that amendments will be made to Pakistan's existing blasphemy laws so that the country's citizens – including its children – will be protected from injustice and abuse. May our Lord's mercy and justice prevail, not only in the judiciary system but also in the hearts of the country's militants. Ask Him to transform their "hearts of stone" into hearts that are receptive to His love, mercy and the workings of His Holy Spirit – not only for the purpose of protecting the Christian minority but also for the salvation of their own eternal souls.