Islamabad: Pakistan's Supreme Court today rejected the review petition against the death sentence of a police bodyguard for assassinating former Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer for criticising the country's controversial blasphemy laws.
Police commando Mumtaz Qadri deployed for security of the liberal governor had gunned down Mr Taseer in Islamabad's posh Koshar Market on January 4, 2011.
The review petition was dismissed by a three-judge panel headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa.
"It is our responsibility to safeguard the law and stand by our oaths," Justice Khosa said.
The punishment was upheld by the Islamabad High Court and later also confirmed by the Supreme Court this year.
The court said that Qadri's lawyers had failed to "establish blasphemy" in the case, which was the major defence by the convict who had said that the governor had committed blasphemy and he was right to kill him under religious obligations.
Blasphemy is a hugely sensitive issue in Pakistan. Critics including European governments say Pakistan's blasphemy laws are largely misused.
Blasphemy laws were introduced in Pakistan in mid-1980s during the time of military ruler Ziaul Haq and are allegedly used by people to settle personal scores.
Police commando Mumtaz Qadri deployed for security of the liberal governor had gunned down Mr Taseer in Islamabad's posh Koshar Market on January 4, 2011.
The review petition was dismissed by a three-judge panel headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa.
"It is our responsibility to safeguard the law and stand by our oaths," Justice Khosa said.
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The punishment was upheld by the Islamabad High Court and later also confirmed by the Supreme Court this year.
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The court said that Qadri's lawyers had failed to "establish blasphemy" in the case, which was the major defence by the convict who had said that the governor had committed blasphemy and he was right to kill him under religious obligations.
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Blasphemy is a hugely sensitive issue in Pakistan. Critics including European governments say Pakistan's blasphemy laws are largely misused.
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Blasphemy laws were introduced in Pakistan in mid-1980s during the time of military ruler Ziaul Haq and are allegedly used by people to settle personal scores.
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