A Pakistani court has temporarily suspended the death sentence of a man convicted of killing a liberal governor who campaigned for a change in the country's blasphemy laws.

The Islamabad court on Tuesday stayed Mumtaz Qadri's execution until it rules on his appeal.

Earlier this month, an anti-terrorism court sentenced the police officer to death for the January 4 killing of Punjab province's governor, Salman Taseer.

Qadri, who was a member of the governor's security team, said he objected to Taseer's criticism of Pakistani law that mandates the death penalty for insulting Islam.

Hundreds of people took to the streets throughout Pakistan last week calling for the release of Qadri.

Governor Taseer, a staunchly secular and progressive politician, was an outspoken opponent of religious extremism. He also called for the release of a Christian woman condemned to death for allegedly making derogatory remarks about the Prophet Mohammad.