Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani led the tributes to Shahbaz Bhatti, the Minister for Minorities Affairs assassinated on Wednesday, at his funeral in Islamabad today.  According to news reports, Gilani described Bhatti's death as "a great loss to the nation".  Bhatti is being buried today in his home village of Khushpur.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), said, "The tributes paid to Shahbaz Bhatti show the esteem in which he was held, both within and far beyond the Christian community to which he belonged.  He was driven by his deep faith, and he was a patriot in the truest sense, one who sought the best for his country, and who realised that the reform and repeal of the abusive blasphemy laws, and the promotion of inter-faith harmony, would benefit not only the minorities he represented, but all of Pakistani society.

"The international community must honour Shahbaz Bhatti's memory not just in words, but in lasting solidarity with all those who, like Bhatti, sought to foster the society envisaged by Pakistan's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, characterised by pluralism, freedom of religion and the rule of law."

For audio files of Shahbaz Bhatti speaking about his work, for pictures, for further information, or to arrange interviews please contact Kiri Kankhwende, Press Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0)20 8329 0045 / +44 (0) 78 2332 9663, email kiri@csw.org.uk or visit www.csw.org.uk.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a Christian organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.

Notes to Editors:

1. Many world leaders issued statements condemning the assassination, among them UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, British Foreign Secretary William Hague, EU Foreign Affairs High Representative Catherine Ashton, and European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek.