A Pakistani court today charged a police commando with terrorism and the murder of leading liberal politician Salman Taseer. Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri pleaded not guilty to murder after the Punjab governor was shot dead outside a cafe in a leafy street of Islamabad on January 4. Qadri had confessed to killing Taseer, objecting to his calls to reform the blasphemy law. One of Qadri's lawyers, Malik Mohammad Rafiq Khan, said after an anti-terrorism court session held behind closed doors, the judge examined the record and said that apparently the accused committed murder and terrorism. Khan said Qadri denied it was murder saying he had acted on the directives of the Koran and the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed regarding an apostate. The lawyer said the next hearing will be held on February 26, when witnesses and evidence will be presented.