Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri (1985 – February 29, 2016), better known as Mumtaz Qadri, was a Pakistani policeman and commando of Elite Police who was convicted of the assassination of Salman Taseer.
Life and career
Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri was born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He joined Punjab Police in 2002 and because of exceptional performance became member of Elite Police in 2007. In 2010, he joined the squad for the security of former Governor of Punjab, Salman Taseer.
Murder
On 4 January 2011, he opened fire and killed former Governor of Punjab Salman Taseer at Kohsar Market in Islamabad after he spoke in favor of Asia Bibi who was charged with blasphemy according to Law in Pakistan. Salman Taseer had freed Asia Bibi from Jail and helped her in escaping from Pakistan. He killed Taseer with 25 bullets when he was serving as his bodyguard. Immidiately after Killing Salman Taseer, Mumtaz Qadari sundered peacefully. After the death of Salman Taseer many people spoke in favour of Qadri because Taseer was accused of blasphemy.
Arrest and execution
Qadri was arrested and was sent to jail on five day physical remand on 6 January 2011. He appeared in court on 9 January 2011 and confessed that he killed Salman Taseer because of his statement in favour of Pakistani Asia Bibi. During his appearance in court over 300 lawyers offered to do his case for free. On 10 January 2011, he was sent to Adiala Jail on 14 day judicial remand. Due to security issues his case was held in Adiala Jail on 14 January 2011. He was charged with the murder of the Governor of Punjab. On 10 October 2011, court issued death warrant of Mumtaz Qadri. He filed an appeal against his death warrant in Islamabad High Court on 6 October 2011 and the appeal was admitted on 11 October 2011. In 2014 a mosque was built in Islamabad after the name of Mumtaz Qadri. The appeal filed by Qadri was rejected in December 2015. Mumtaz Qadri was executed on 29 February 2016 at 4:30 AM at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
Reaction to the execution
Protests began immediately all over the country against the execution. Millions of people protested in major cities of Pakistan, including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar. Lawyers in Islamabad called one day strike against the anti Islamic decision of Lahore High Court. Sunni Tehreek announced protests all over the country. Metrobus Rawalpindi-Islamabad was also suspended due to the protests in the city. Markets and business centres were closed and disturbance in traffic was reported in different locations of Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad.
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