Furious LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) - thousands of Pakistani police are on high alert in Lahore Wednesday in advance of the funeral of a Governor of province outspoken, shot by a bodyguard was when his opposition to the law decreeing death for insulting Islam.
Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, businessman high profile, aged 66 and media magnate has been a pillar of the decision of the Pakistan people's Party and his murder sent Tuesday nuclear Pakistan oscillate at a time of great political upheaval.
Taseer, regarded as a moderate in a country increasingly assaulted by fanaticism, voice was a close ally of the President - supported Asif Ali Zardari. It is Pakistan political figure to be assassinated since the former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was slain here three years ago, and his death highlights the growing threat in this country for those who dare to challenge claims of Islamic extremists.
Van Pervez, Lahore, Commissioner said Wednesay journalists that the city authorities had deployed additional police of the city in order to ensure the peace before and after the funeral of the Taseer.
"Police is maximum alert." "Police are warning all important facilities in the city", he said.
Thousands of police were guard residence the Taseer and other key sites.
An intelligence officer interrogated the suspect, Mumtaz Qadri, said 26-year-old commando was planning the assassination since learning there are four days would be deployed with the Governor.
Intelligence officer said that Qadri said he is proud of having killed a blasphémateur. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to talk to the media. QADRI was arrested immediately after the shooting, but it is not immediately obvious Wednesday that he was formally charged with a crime.
Political allies asked why Taseer was not better protected because the weeks events in anger outside the mansion of the Governor on his opposition to the blasphemy laws. Taseer was shot in the back in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, with an automatic weapon in leaving a restaurant in walking to his car.
In a nod to his campaign for legislative reform, the main Islamabad Dawn newspaper reported in a title on the cover page: "right of blasphemy claims another life."
Read the title banner Daily Times: "Punjab martyred Governor."
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has announced a period of three days of mourning national and ordered flags lowered to half staff.
US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday joined international condemnation of the killing, describing the death of Taseer as "a great loss."
"The opportunity to meet with Governor Taseer to Pakistan, and I've admired his work to promote tolerance and education of future generations of Pakistan," she said in a statement, referring to his visit to Islamabad in October 2010.
PPP leaders and supporters gathered at the House on Wednesday in advance of the funeral. The authorities had installed walkthrough metal detectors as additional security for the funeral home.
Governor's residence was the scene Street angry demonstrations in recent weeks against the Taseer to repeal the death of the order for anyone convicted of insulting Islam and its support to a Christian woman sentenced to die for allegedly insulting blasphemy laws calling prophet Mohammad Islam.
Although the courts overturn typically sentences and no executions were conducted, activists say that laws are used to adjust the rivalries and persecute the religious minorities rights.
Taseer called the Governor a brave opponent Pakistan moving in recent years influenced Sufi moderation South Asian approaches fans more fundamentalist Islam in some parts of the Middle East.
His death is also a blow to the PPP, decision is difficult to maintain power after the defection of a key to the ruling coalition ally.
Collapse the main country's opposition party, Pakistan League Muslim-N, Tuesday gives the Government three days to accept a list of applications to avoid a vote of confidence which could result in the Government.
However, PML - N spokesman Lt. Farooq spokesman said Wednesday that this delay had been prolonged for three days due to Taseer assassionation.
Overnight, Minister of the Interior Rehman Malik, PPP member and friend of Taseer, visited bloody Street Islamabad where the murder occurred and blame guards not surrounding Taseer he was leaving the restaurant.
"I am surprised to know that it was not done," Malik told journalists Tuesday evening.
PPP principal leader Jehangir Badar demanded a probe on the circumstances of the murder and calls for calm.
Police are trying to determine how Qadri was assigned to Taseer Tuesday security detail and if they had no help.
Associated Press writer Munir Ahmed Islamabad has contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2011 the Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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