Islamic fanatics have murdered the only Christian in Pakistan's cabinet for opposing the country's savage blasphemy laws.
Minister of Minority Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic in his 40s, was sprayed with bullets outside his parents' home in Islamabad.
The killing today further undermines Pakistan's shaky image as a moderate Islamic state and could deepen the political turmoil.
In pamphlets found at the scene of the shooting, al Qaida and the Pakistani Taliban said they targeted Mr Bhatti because of his faith and because he allegedly belonged to a committee that was reviewing the blasphemy laws which at the moment carry the death penalty for insulting Islam.
Mr Bhatti had just pulled out of the drive when three men standing nearby opened fire.
Two of the men opened the door and tried to pull him out, as a third fired his Kalashnikov repeatedly into the car. The killers then drove off.
