Awwal 28, 1432 H/March 3, 2011, SPA -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the assassination of Pakistan's sole Christian parliamentarian, Shahbaz Bhatti, who was killed in an attack in Islamabad early Wednesday morning. Bhatti, who was Pakistan's minister for minority affairs, had been a strong proponent of inter-religious harmony and an advocate for minority rights. "The secretary-general strongly condemns today's tragic assassination of Pakistan's Minister for Minority Affairs, Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti," Ban's office said in a statement. "The secretary-general encourages the Government of Pakistan to continue its efforts to combat terrorism, protect the rights of minorities and promote tolerance," the statement added. Ban also offered condolences to Bhatti's family and the people of Pakistan.
