UN chief condemns assassination of Salman Taseer

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the assassination of the governor of Punjab province, Salman Taseer.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, the secretary-general described Taseer as a “prominent leader whose death is a loss for Pakistan,” and extended his condolences to his family and to the people and government of Pakistan.

According to media reports, the Punjab governor was gunned down by one of his own bodyguards as he stepped from his car in Kohsar Market in Islamabad. Upon surrendering to authorities, the assassin is reported to have voiced opposition to the reform of Pakistan's blasphemy laws -- an issue that Taseer was said to firmly support.