Will the execution of Governor Taseer’s assassin reopen the debate on Pakistan’s blasphemy law?

In 2011 Governor of Punjab was assassinated by Mumtaz Qadri for calling for the reform of Pakistan’s restrictive blasphemy law. On 29 February 2016, Qadri was executed for his crime. Usama Khilji writes that the execution shows the State’s firm rejection of violent extremism and mob justice. However, it also raises concerns about the barriers to reforming the blasphemy law and protecting the rights of minorities in Pakistan, and reopens the death penalty debate.