LAHORE, Pakistan // Thousands of Pakistani police were on high alert in Lahore on Wednesday ahead of the funeral for an outspoken provincial governor shot dead by a bodyguard reportedly enraged by his opposition to laws decreeing death for insulting Islam.
Punjab Gov. Salman Taseer, a high-profile, 66-year-old businessman and media tycoon, was a stalwart of the ruling Pakistan People's Party, and his assassination Tuesday sent nuclear-armed Pakistan reeling at a time of great political turmoil.
Taseer, regarded as a moderate voice in a country increasingly beset by zealotry, was a close ally of US-backed President Asif Ali Zardari. He is the highest-profile Pakistani political figure to be assassinated since former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was slain three years ago, and his death underscores the growing danger in this country to those who dare to challenge the demands of Islamist extremists.
Khusro Pervez, the commissioner of Lahore, told reporters Wednesay that city authorities had deployed additional police in the city to ensure peace before and after Taseer's funeral.
"Police are on maximum alert. Police are guarding all important installations in the city," he said.
Thousands of police were guarding Taseer's residence and other key sites.
An intelligence official who interrogated the suspect, Mumtaz Qadri, said the 26-year-old commando had been planning the assassination since learning four days ago that he would be deployed with the governor.
The intelligence official said Qadri said he was proud to have killed a blasphemer. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to media. Qadri was arrested immediately after the shooting but it wasn't immediately clear Wednesday whether he had been officially charged with a crime.
Political allies questioned why Taseer hadn't been better protected, given the weeks of angry protests outside the governor's mansion over his opposition to the blasphemy laws. Taseer was shot in the back in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, with an automatic weapon as he left a restaurant to walk to his car.
In a nod to his campaign for legislative reform, the leading Islamabad newspaper Dawn reported in a front page headline: "Blasphemy law claims another life."
The Daily Times banner headline read: "Punjab Governor martyred."
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani announced a three-day period of national mourning and ordered flags lowered to half-staff.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday joined international condemnation of the assassination, describing Taseer's death as "a great loss."
"I had the opportunity to meet Gov. Taseer in Pakistan and I admired his work to promote tolerance and the education of Pakistan's future generations," she said in a statement, referring to her Islamabad visit in October 2010.
PPP leaders and supporters gathered at the house on Wednesday ahead of the funeral. Authorities had installed walkthrough metal detectors at the house as an added security measure for the funeral.
The governor's residence has been the scene of angry street protests in recent weeks against Taseer's call to repeal blasphemy laws that order death for anyone convicted of insulting Islam and his support for a Christian woman sentenced to die for allegedly insulting Islam's Prophet Muhammad.
Although courts typically overturn convictions and no executions have been carried out, rights activists say the laws are used to settle rivalries and persecute religious minorities.
Taseer's admirers called the governor a courageous opponent of Pakistan's shift in recent years away from South Asia's Sufi-influenced moderation to the more fundamentalist approaches to Islam found in some areas of the Middle East.
His death also came as a blow to the ruling PPP, which is struggling to retain power after the defection of a key ally from its governing coalition.
The country's leading opposition party, Pakistan Muslim League-N, on Tuesday gave the government a three-day deadline to accept a list of demands to avert a no-confidence vote that could result in the government's collapse.
But PML-N spokesman Sadiqul Farooq spokesman said on Wednesday that that deadline had been extended by three days because of Taseer's assassionation.
Overnight, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, a PPP member and friend of Taseer, visited the bloodied Islamabad street where the murder occurred and faulted guards for not surrounding Taseer as he left the restaurant.
"I am surprised to know that it was not done," Malik told reporters Tuesday night.
PPP senior leader Jehangir Badar demanded a thorough probe into the circumstances of the murder and called for calm.
Police were trying to determine how Qadri was assigned to Taseer's security detail Tuesday and whether he'd had any help.
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
More coverage from the Future Forum
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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Fighter profiles
Gabrieli Pessanha (Brazil)
Reigning Abu Dhabi World Pro champion in the 95kg division, virtually unbeatable in her weight class. Known for her pressure game but also dangerous with her back on the mat.
Nathiely de Jesus, 23, (Brazil)
Two-time World Pro champion renowned for her aggressive game. She is tall and most feared by her opponents for both her triangles and arm-bar attacks.
Thamara Ferreira, 24, (Brazil)
Since her brown belt days, Ferreira has been dominating the 70kg, in both the World Pro and the Grand Slams. With a very aggressive game.
Samantha Cook, 32, (Britain)
One of the biggest talents coming out of Europe in recent times. She is known for a highly technical game and bringing her A game to the table as always.
Kendall Reusing, 22, (USA)
Another young gun ready to explode in the big leagues. The Californian resident is a powerhouse in the -95kg division. Her duels with Pessanha have been highlights in the Grand Slams.
Martina Gramenius, 32, (Sweden)
Already a two-time Grand Slam champion in the current season. Gramenius won golds in the 70kg, in both in Moscow and Tokyo, to earn a spot in the inaugural Queen of Mats.
The%20specs
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Leaderboard
63 - Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA)
64 - Rory McIlroy (NIR)
66 - Jon Rahm (ESP)
67 - Tom Lewis (ENG), Tommy Fleetwood (ENG)
68 - Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP), Marcus Kinhult (SWE)
69 - Justin Rose (ENG), Thomas Detry (BEL), Francesco Molinari (ITA), Danny Willett (ENG), Li Haotong (CHN), Matthias Schwab (AUT)
Company%20Profile
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The Bio
Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.
Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.
Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.
Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.
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Schedule:
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
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SPECS
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TYPES%20OF%20ONLINE%20GIG%20WORK
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Company%20Profile
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World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
Dubai Rugby Sevens
November 30, December 1-2
International Vets
Christina Noble Children’s Foundation fixtures
Thursday, November 30:
10.20am, Pitch 3, v 100 World Legends Project
1.20pm, Pitch 4, v Malta Marauders
Friday, December 1:
9am, Pitch 4, v SBA Pirates
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Meydan card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (PA) Group 1 US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,400m
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,200m
8.50pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (TB) Group 2 $350,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
Destroyer
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan
Rating: 3/5
UAE release: January 31
Company%20Profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Greatest Royal Rumble results
John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match
Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus
Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal
Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos
Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match
Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
WHAT%20MACRO%20FACTORS%20ARE%20IMPACTING%20META%20TECH%20MARKETS%3F
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The 100 Best Novels in Translation
Boyd Tonkin, Galileo Press
MATCH INFO
World Cup qualifier
Thailand 2 (Dangda 26', Panya 51')
UAE 1 (Mabkhout 45 2')
The specs: 2018 Renault Megane
Price, base / as tested Dh52,900 / Dh59,200
Engine 1.6L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission Continuously variable transmission
Power 115hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 156Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.6L / 100km
The specs
Price: From Dh529,000
Engine: 5-litre V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 520hp
Torque: 625Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.8L/100km
Company%20Profile
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The%20Specs
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