British Foreign Minister William Hague said on Tuesday he was shocked by the assassination of the governor of Punjab province, adding that it was loss to the leadership of the country. "I am shocked to hear of the assassination of Salmaan Taseer," Hague said in a statement.
"His death will be a loss to the leadership of Pakistan. On behalf of the British government I send my condolences to Mr Taseer's family, friends and colleagues." Yvette Cooper, foreign affairs spokeswoman for the opposition Labour party, called on the British government to support Pakistan as it faces challenges including militancy and recovery from devastating floods last year. "I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Salmaan Taseer and strongly condemn this attack," she said. Britain, the former colonial power in South Asia, has a large ethnic Pakistani community.