Washington: Terming the slaying of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer as a loss for Pakistan, the US has said the country has to make efforts to root out extremism and bring greater peace and stability.
Taseer was gunned down by his own security guard who claimed he was offended by the Governor`s criticism of the controversial blasphemy law.
"This is an individual who had worked hard to promote tolerance, and his loss is a great one for Pakistan," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, said.
"We remain committed to the efforts that the Pakistani government is and must undertake to root out violent extremism and to bring greater peace and stability to that country and to that region of the world," he said.
Gibbs was responding to questions about the assassination, which is said to be a reflection of violent extremism in the country.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met Pakistani Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani on Tuesday to personally convey the President`s condolences, he said.
Meanwhile, Lawrence Cannon, the Canadian Foreign Minister, in a statement also expressed his condolences to the people of Pakistan on the assassination of Taseer.
"On behalf of the Government of Canada, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Governor Salmaan Taseer, and to the Pakistani people, in the wake of his vicious and cowardly assassination," Cannon said.
"His death is a loss to the people of Pakistan and all those who shared his commitment to the promotion of tolerance and legal reforms in that country," he said.
PTI
