We are grieved to inform you about the assassination of Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti Minister for Minority Affairs and Human Rights this morning at about 11:30 a.m. by the militants. According to sources Mr. Bhatti came to see his sick mother and the moment he went out from his mother's residence to attend the Federal Cabinet meeting, the unknown attackers shot him dead. Our sources further stated that his driver immediately rushed to the nearby Shifa International Hospital, where his death was confirmed by the doctors.

Mr. Bhatti was under grave threats of life by the Islamic Militant Organizations and severely requested for security. After the assassination of Mr. Salman Taseer, Governor of Punjab, Mr. Bhatti faced intense opposition from Islamist elements when he condemned the murder of Mr. Taseer and supported his objection against the country's draconian blasphemy laws, which carry the penalty of death in a highly publicized case, a Christian woman named Asia Bibi.

Soon after hearing this tragic news, Joseph Francis immediately left for Islamabad to visit the place of occurrence and know about the motives behind the killing of Mr. Bhatti and will share our findings accordingly.

Please pray for Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti's soul may rest in Peace. Pray for his parents, brothers, sisters, relatives and Pakistan's Christian Community. May God give them His own peace and strengthen them to tolerate this painful incident of the murder of their beloved son.