A North West MP has spoken of his shock and sadness at the killing of a Pakistani Minister.

Pakistan’s government minister for religious minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti died after being shot by gunmen in the capital Islamabad, hospital officials said.

Mr Bhatti was a Christian who had been threatened by Islamist militants in the past because he has spoken out against the country’s blasphemy laws.

The Chairman of the British All Party Parliamentary Group for Pakistan and MP for Pendle, Andrew Stephenson MP condemned the killing of Mr Bhatti.

Mr Stephenson met with Mr Bhatti in Islamabad in January where they discussed religious tolerance and the needs for interfaith dialogue.

Mr Stephenson said “I think this is a very sad development for Pakistan and is particularly shocking coming so soon after the murder of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer.”

Anjum Anwar, Dialogue Development Officer at Blackburn Cathedral and Director of Woman's Voice said, "I met Mr Bhatti on the 21 September 2010 at a conference organized by Christian Muslim Forum in London.

"Many issues connected with interfaith harmony were touched upon not least the blasphemey laws in Pakistan.

"The question that we need to ask today is, was Mr. Bhatti blaspheming or was he saying that any law that stops protecting people needs to be revisted.

"I once heard that the 'character of a nation is recognized by how it treats its minorities."

Mr Stephenson has tabled the following Early Day Motion in the House of Commons which can be signed by other MP’s.

"This House condemns the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti, the Pakistani Minister for Minorities, who was the only Christian in the cabinet.

"Notes that this comes only days after the Government of Pakistan’s retention of a minorities representative in the new cabinet and the Ministry for Minorities Affairs as an independent ministry.

"Recognises the significant advances made in the interests of minority rights and interfaith dialogue by the Federal Minister Shahbaz Bhatti through this ministry; expresses concern at the ongoing misuse of the provisions of section 295 of the Pakistan Penal Code, known as the ‘blasphemy laws’, and the threats posed to all who challenge this legislation; and urges the Government of Pakistan to reconsider reviewing the blasphemy laws as a matter of urgency."