Saturday, January 08, 2011

Salman Taseer Murder Sparks Fear and Loathing in Pakistan

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: After the murder of liberal politician Salman Taseer, Pakistan's moderate, educated classes are growing ever more fearful.

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Sana Saleem, 23, a human right activist received death threats on her blog after protesting against the killing of Salman Taseer. Photo: The Daily Telegraph

With her frilly black hijab, eyeliner and Macbook, Sana Saleem does not look like a doughty human rights campaigner. Yet every day she shrugs off death threats and anonymous text messages promising to rape her in the street, in order to champion progressive causes on her blog.

Even she, though, was unprepared for the outpouring of hate that has engulfed Pakistan this week, with the murder of a high-profile politician who was leading a campaign to reform the country's draconian blasphemy laws.

"I was devastated, really shocked," said the 23-year-old medical student. "They were celebrating his death, showering the killer with rose petals. I never expected this, [sic]" >>> Rob Crilly, Karachi | Saturday, January 08, 2011