Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- Perhaps no one better understands what the family of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is going through like the widow and children of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer. "I mean, my heart is totally with the congresswoman," says daughter Sara Taseer. What do an American lawmaker from Arizona and a Pakistani governor have in common? Both outspoken elected officials were gunned down in broad daylight, within days of each other. Taseer died; Giffords clings to life. Separated by half a world, they are united by similar crimes. Taseer was assassinated by his own security guard last week in Islamabad, Pakistan's capital. He was coming out of a popular market when the guard, Mumtaz Qadri, opened fire and shot him 27 times.
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Taseer and Giffords were both gunned down
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Taseer died while Giffords clings to life
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Daughter says father's killing was message to liberals to keep quiet
Mumtaz Qadri
@placeholder confessed in court Monday that he killed Taseer because of his support to change the blasphemy laws.
Salmaan Taseer
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Qadri confessed in court Monday that he killed @placeholder because of his support to change the blasphemy laws.
Salmaan Taseer
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@placeholder's shooter has been hailed as a hero by many conservative Muslims in Pakistan.
Salmaan Taseer
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They're also looking ahead, to what legacy @placeholder leaves for the future.
Sara Taseer
And daughter @placeholder says, "He had a liberal and progressive and secular vision.