Wednesday, March 2, 2011 Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Minority Affairs was assassinated.
An advocate for minorities Bhatti was outspoken, bold and fearless in protecting their rights. Among his life accomplishments Bhatti received the International Religious Freedom Award for rendering services to the Christian community, becoming the first Pakistani to receive this prestigious award.
Bhatti had defied death threats since the assassination of Punjab Gov. Salman Taseer on Jan 4. Taseer was killed for supporting Asia Noreen, the first Christian woman sentenced to death in Pakistan on blasphemy charges. Bhatti was Pakistan’s only cabinet-level Christian and was in charge of a committee to amend the law against blasphemy.
In this compelling video recorded several months ago Bhatti conceded that he was “the highest target right now” but vowed to continue his work and trusting his life to God.
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