Taseer murderer Mumtaz Qadri appeals for mercy

ISLAMABAD: Mumtaz Qadri, whose death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court of Pakistan for shooting to death Punjab governor Salman Taseer, has appealed the President of Pakistan for mercy.

According to sources at the Interior Ministry, Mumtaz Qadri's appeal for mercy will be forwarded to the President's House.

Qadri, who was part of the security detail of Salman Taseer, had shot the former Punjab governor multiple times in Islamabad on January 4, 2011 for allegedly committing a blasphemy.

In his appeal addressed to President Mamnoon Hussain, Qadri states that he is the only breadwinner in his family, and thus, deserves the state's mercy.

Qadri has confessed to murdering Taseer.

A decision over his appeal will now be taken by President Mamnoon Hussain.