A gunman has shot and killed a Pakistani provincial minister as she walked toward a podium to give a speech Tuesday.
Police say an Islamic fanatic approached the minister for social welfare of Punjab Province, Zil-e-Huma Usman, at a political gathering in Gujranwala, southeast of Islamabad.
He shot her in the head, and she died shortly after in the hospital.
Police immediately arrested the attacker, identified as Mohammad Sarwar. Officers said he told them he believes it is immoral for women to work in politics.
The minister was in her mid-30s. She was an advocate for women's rights and a supporter of President Pervez Musharraf.
Police said the attacker is a religious extremist who has been a suspect in previous murders of women.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.