Police and members of the media stand near the bullet-riddled car of slain Shahbaz Bhatti outside the emergency ward of a hospital in Islamabad.—Reuters

LONDON: The BBC says it has received a video recording of murdered minister Shabhaz Bhatti in which the politician said he had been threatened by religious extremists but was not afraid to die.

In the message, Bhatti says he has received threats from the Taliban and al-Qaida, but will not stop ''speaking for the oppressed and marginalized persecuted Christians and other minorities.''

He added that he was ready ''to die for a cause.'' Bhatti, the only Christian in Pakistan's Cabinet, was shot dead Wednesday in Islamabad.

The BBC said Bhatti had made the recording about four months ago and left instructions it should be sent to broadcasters if he was killed.

Last month, in an interview with the Christian Post, Bhatti said he had received threats.

“I received a call from the Taliban commander and he said, 'If you will bring any changes in the blasphemy law and speak on this issue, then you will be killed,'” Bhatti told the newspaper.

Opinion

Editorial

X post facto
Updated 19 Apr, 2024

X post facto

Our decision-makers should realise the harm they are causing.
Insufficient inquiry
19 Apr, 2024

Insufficient inquiry

UNLESS the state is honest about the mistakes its functionaries have made, we will be doomed to repeat our follies....
Melting glaciers
19 Apr, 2024

Melting glaciers

AFTER several rain-related deaths in KP in recent days, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority has sprung into...
IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...