ISLAMABAD — The governor of Pakistan’s wealthiest and most populated province was shot dead today by one of his bodyguards who told interrogators he was angry over the politician’s opposition to laws that impose the death penalty for those convicted of insulting Islam.

Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, 66, was a member of the ruling party and a close associate of President Asif Ali Zardari. Friends described him as an outspoken moderate who defended women’s rights, minorities and secularism and he was the most high-profile politician assassinated since former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was killed in December 2007.

He was hit by 26 bullets, all in the back, said Shaukat Kayani, a doctor at Poly Clinic Hospital.