Mumtaz Qadri’s indictment deferred: lawyer

Prosecution has yet to provide the defence with six police statements says Qadri's lawyer.

RAWALPINDI: A Pakistani court on Tuesday deferred the indictment of the police commando who confessed to killing late Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer, his lawyer said.

Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri said he shot dead Punjab governor Salman Taseer outside a cafe after lunch in Islamabad on January 4 because he objected to Taseer's calls to reform the blasphemy law, which carries the death penalty.

One of Qadri's lawyers, Raja Shuja Rehman, told AFP that the indictment could not take place as planned because the prosecution had yet to provide the defence with six police statements.

"The court has ordered that the statements be provided to us and the next hearing has been fixed on February 4. According to the rules, an indictment can be done seven days after statements are provided," he added.

Taseer's killing drew mixed reactions in Pakistan, where many from the increasingly powerful conservative religious quarter praised the gunman for acting to silence the outspoken politician.

About 100 bearded men and youths gathered outside the high-security Adiyala prison in Rawalpindi, a garrison city neighbouring the capital, calling for his release, shouting "Have some shame, free Qadri".

The protesters nudged in front of the judge's car as he arrived for the hearing at the prison but there was no incident, an AFP reporter said.

Qadri was showered with petals at initial court hearings after he admitted to the murder, which dealt a heavy blow to the liberal elite in Pakistan.

Rehman claimed Qadri's health was deteriorating.

"We are concerned about his health. It is deteriorating and we will hold the administration responsible if anything happens to Qadri," he said.

Investigation officer Hakim Khan told the court that cleric Hanif Qureshi and another man, Imtiaz Shah, were no longer relevant to enquiries.

Qureshi and Shah were released on bail after Qadri said he shot Taseer after listening to their speeches.