2011-03-02 16:41:58

Shahbaz Bhatti, the Pakistani minister who defended Asia Bibi, is assassinated


(March 02, 2011) Vatican has condemned the assassination of Catholic federal minister for minorities’ affairs Shahbaz Bhatti Wednesday morning in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan. The Vatican Spokesperson Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi said that the assassination of Pakistan's minister Shabbaz Bhatti, is a new expression of grave violence against Christians. This explains of the constant insistence of the Pope about the violence against Christians and against religious freedom in general. Bhatti was the first Catholic to hold such a post. Father Lombardi recalled his meeting with the Pope last September, and had expressed his commitment to peaceful coexistence between religious communities in his country. Meanwhile the Christian groups are organizing protests and meetings after the assassination of Catholic federal Shahbaz Bhatti in Islamabad. Bhatti, 42, was attacked shortly after he left his residence in Islamabad this morning for a meeting of federal cabinet. Reports said four gunmen surrounded his vehicle and sprayed it with bullets. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said he strongly condemned the killing of the federal minister. He was at the local hospital where the body had been transferred. Both the Catholic and Protestant bishops plan to meet today at 5 pm at the residence of Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha in Lahore. Vicar General Father Andrew Nisari, the meeting coordinator, condemned the killing. “It is not only the loss of Christians but of the whole nation. Bhatti fought for justice and his murder exposes the weakness of government as well as the power of fanatics”, he said. Father Nisari also urged the government to refocus on the “law of the jungle” dominating society. Bhatti had been receiving threats for opposing the country’s blasphemy laws. He stopped appearing in media after the recent killing of Punjab governor Salman Taseer, also for resisting the blasphemy laws. Bhatti was appointed on November 2, 2008 as the first Catholic minister for minorities. He started his political career after founding the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance movement in 1985. He had received numerous international prizes for religious liberty, peace and his struggle in favour of human rights.
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