Islamabad: Minority Affairs Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, gunned down by militants today for calling for changes in Pakistan's blasphemy law, had often spoken about threats to his life from the Taliban and extremist elements in recent weeks.
Bhatti, the only member of the federal cabinet from the minority Christian community, first received threats when he spoke in support of Christians who were attacked by an extremist group at Gojra in Punjab in 2009.
Fresh threats came his way when he spoke in support of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death last year for alleged blasphemy.
"I am a follower of the cross and I am ready to die for a cause. I am living for my community and suffering people and I will die to defend their rights. These threats and warnings cannot change my opinion and principles.
I will prefer to die for my principles and for the justice of my community rather than compromise (because of) these threats," he said.
By a strange twist of fate, Bhatti's 88-year-old father Jacob Bhatti suffered a heart attack on January 4 when he learnt that Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer had been assassinated by a police guard for opposing the blasphemy law.
"He knew that I was very close to Taseer and I am also the target of extremists so he could not bear that,"
Bhatti said about his father in a recent interview.
He retained his portfolio during a recent shake-up of the federal cabinet.
Bhatti, the only member of the federal cabinet from the minority Christian community, first received threats when he spoke in support of Christians who were attacked by an extremist group at Gojra in Punjab in 2009.
Fresh threats came his way when he spoke in support of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death last year for alleged blasphemy.
"I am a follower of the cross and I am ready to die for a cause. I am living for my community and suffering people and I will die to defend their rights. These threats and warnings cannot change my opinion and principles.
I will prefer to die for my principles and for the justice of my community rather than compromise (because of) these threats," he said.
Advertisement
By a strange twist of fate, Bhatti's 88-year-old father Jacob Bhatti suffered a heart attack on January 4 when he learnt that Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer had been assassinated by a police guard for opposing the blasphemy law.
Advertisement
"He knew that I was very close to Taseer and I am also the target of extremists so he could not bear that,"
Bhatti said about his father in a recent interview.
Advertisement
He retained his portfolio during a recent shake-up of the federal cabinet.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Had to arrest 11-year-old for her own safety, says Pak police Indian Christian Federation condemns Bhatti's assassination Shahbaz Bhatti could have been saved, says brother Nurse Raped, Killed On Way Home, Body Found 9 Days Later In UP "Don't Expect Anything From Me": Kolkata Hospital's New Principal Loses Cool "Took Advantage Of His Addiction": 5 Charged Over Matthew Perry's Death Ukraine, Russia Both Claim Advances In Kursk Region Gaza Ceasefire Talks Underway In Qatar As Deaths Top 40,000 Trump To Hold Press Conference, His Campaign Adds Senior Advisers Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.