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Governor Punjab blames PML-N
Shahbaz Sharif condemns abduction, vows to ‘personally follow up’.
Khosa has held Shahbaz Sharif responsible for Taseer's abduction, that the Sharifs were supporting terrorists. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI/LAHORE:
Shahbaz Taseer’s abduction on Friday sparked a sharp exchange between top provincial authorities, with Governor Punjab Latif Khosa lashing out at Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and blaming him for the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab.
Meanwhile Sharif, who spent much of Thursday in Karachi expressing ‘shock and horror’ at its situation, condemned the abduction and vowed to “personally follow up [the case].”
‘PML-N in cahoots with extremists’
Khosa, in a press conference at the Governor House in Lahore, alleged that the abduction was a result of support the Punjab government had been extending to extremists and defunct organisations, and asked the federal government to review its reconciliation policy in Punjab.
(Read: Lahore’s growing Talibanisation)
“The PPP has tolerated the murder of its governor … they would not tolerate this abduction” he said.
Taseer’s abduction in broad daylight from an area lined with police pickets give credence to speculation that Punjab government is either involved in or supported the abduction, he said.
Citing the law and order situation, the governor hinted at an in-house change in Punjab assembly but said that the government will not impose Governor rule in the province.
If Salmaan Taseer’s assassin had been punished, Shahbaz’s abduction could have been avoided, he said, calling upon the Supreme Court to hang Salmaan’s self-confessed killer Mumtaz Qadri.
Sharif springs to action
Shahbaz Sharif termed Taseer’s abduction “regrettable” and said “it cannot be condemned enough,” while speaking to reporters at the Karachi Press Club.
“I have directed the administration and the police to find the culprits and bring them to book,” he said.
In an attempt to lay off responsibility, Sharif said that 26 security officers were deputed by Punjab government to Taseer’s family.
“I believe Shahbaz did not take his security officers with him today, which I wish he had. But this does not mean that this kidnapping should have happened,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2011.
Read more:
shahbaztaseer
, taseermurder
Reader Comments (38)
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I would blame Mr Taseer in not keeping guards with him and refusing to keep the Punjab police informed of his whereabouts, despite knowing fully well that he was a target for many. That said, may he return to his family soon, safe and sound.
(as far as our bad-hair-day-governor is concerned, he will continue to milk every opportunity for political mileage so what he says is absolutely irrelevant).Recommend
never take governor of punjab seriously..Recommend
One blame must go on the lad for not keeping his guards informed. Another blame, undoubtedly, must go to the Punjab CM. He is personally supporting many terrorists outfits and his open support for Wahabbi-Saudi funded terrorism in our country is notable. That’s rather unfortunate. Since both brothers have lived in Saudi Arab they’ve been badly influenced by their ulemas and the result may be seen in rising terrorism across our country in form of suicide bombings on Tombs of Saints, etc.
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Isn’t a political person after becoming President,Governor,Chairman senate and Speaker becomes a neutral person. One reason of our problems is the inability of these position holders to fit in their new role. Governor Khosa needs to act as a saner person. If he really think that Punjab Government is incompetent he should impose Governor Rule. Please do not confuse the issue, Mr. Governor.
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Both Governor Khosa & Sharif brothers are a not-so-good for this nation.
How could Nawaz Sharif run away from Pakistan on the pretext of a Umra.
Would Allah not know the thief in the heart of these third rate politicians??
The time for change has come !!!Recommend
Even thou i STRONGLY disagreed with the late Salman Taseer on many fronts, his religious views in particular, i am very sorry to hear about his son`s kidnapping. Hope he gets back soon to his family. In the future, the Taseers should be more cautious, since the lack of it has undoubtedly resulted in this incident.
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Shahbaz’s abduction seems to be a mystery.
He was abducted at the time when Punjab CM was out of town.
It seems that Shabaz’s abductors were waiting for the CM to go out of town to abduct him.
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“Khosa blames lax attitude of Punjab CM for Taseer’s abduction”
So Khosa should also blame lax attitude of Sindh CM for the murderous rampage and target killings in Karachi?
Give me a break. These politicians need to grow up and lead rather just finger point. The economy is in shambles, security situation across the country is the worst it has ever been. Please the PPP is as much to blame as any other party if not more since they are forming the government in the center.
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Blame game starts, it does not help in solving the problem. If Gov. Khosa is blaming Sharif
brothers for Punjab then Sindh which is governed by PPP is no better. Karachi is worse.
Gov. Khosa and Sharif brothers should work together to find and get Shahbaz Tassir back to his family well and alive. Our thoughts and Dua are with Taseer Family.
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Absurd comment by a NRO
Governor.Recommend
Why don’t we make him Governor of Sindh?
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Please do not politicise this sad incidence.
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Why doesn’t PPP make him
the Governor of Sindh?Recommend
The murderer of Salman Taseer was showered with rose petals by Lawyers in Pakistan!
Yes Lawyers.
I think there is now further demand for rose petals…..
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that’s the best khosa can do? political point scoring and pointing fingers? it appears khosa was so insulted over Sharif’s visit to karachi for it’s worsening situtation that he was waiting for an opertunity for a cheap shot at punjab and it’s CM. What can you expect from such politicians of Pakistan.Recommend
There are a few eye opening facts:
Sharif brothers have been more Saudi/Wahabi agents than they have been Pakistanis.
They have close relationships with local Taliban and similar groups. Rana Sana has been their front man. Does any other province have a “law” minister like Rana Sana.
All PML-N goons get a free hand from the “independent” judiciary. They are free to attack police and get away with it.
Punjab govt which roules more than half of the population of the country and is responsible for law and order in the province takes no responsibility. Whatever is happening in Punjab including corruption PML-N has no part of it, only PPP is responsible for that.
The killing of Salman Taseer was a clear act of terrorism. However, the killer is having a great time in safety of jail and courts are waiting for???
In Sind Sarfaraz Shah’s killers have already been tied and convited but not mullah Qadri in Punjab, why? I can go on and on but I have made my point(s).
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Seems like all the governors produced by PPP are extremely political and only inflame the situation. These people obviously have some aversion to their own country. I mean, who says stuff like this?
It is very sad the dude got kidnapped but his life/liberty is not more precious than the thousands who have gone missing or those who get kidnapped every other day.
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Its highly despicable that this tragic incident is being used for political statements. I pray for the safety and life of Shahbaz. May God be with him. May he return to his family safe and sound.Recommend
@Blithe:
English please! it shouldn’t be “a NRO”.
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Very surprised at the sttatement of Khosa. In Sindh everyday businessmen are kidnapped for ransom but nobody blames the CM. What was so special about the Taseer’s son? Was he more than a Pakistani citizen?
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1- Where was him a week before this? he is the governor he would have come out and said that CM is lax? Now grapes are sour, now its political mileage!
2- It is sad that a person is abducted, but just cause he is Taseer’s son, all the media is on the news? what about other issues? What did Taseer as a governor bring to the province apart from fighting the Sharifs (who are similar kind of goons?)
3- Many common men get abducted and killed, governor never said anything, just cause an elite is abducted things are in full swing?
4- Sialkot lynching case has been delayed due to federal Minster Ashiq Awans interventions, she is from PPP, where was Governor then?
They are all goons, so one of them now got abducted, things are in full swing!
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So what is the establsihment going to say now ? I think it will say
“Indiscriminate surgical operations will be launched and the target abductors will be brought on national TV to confess their crimes. All stake holders have been taken on board and a report will be presented within 48 hours.”
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Khosa being Taseer-ic … just that! :)
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NRO := Non Resident Observor ! lol
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PPP’s despration to score political points
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Hope khosa reminds sindh CM of his duties as well. He has plenty of time to give free advice. Governer has nothing to do apart from criticising government
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Son of ex governer and US citizen are no imprtant then a common man. Why governer not speaks for poor people who are getting slaughtered in Karachi everyday.
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Finally, Mr. Khosa is awake, where were you Mr. Khosa when thousand of innocent Pakistanis are being killed and kidnapped on daily bais, you did not utter a single word to sympathies with fellow Pakistanis and now you feel a pain, I pitty you.
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Khosa is the only bald man in the world without any wisdom.
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@Mirza:
Correction. Salman taseer was murdered in islamabad (federal capital territory). Punjab has nothing to do with it as it has no jurisdiction.
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Governor should act like a mature person befitting the office he is occupying.
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Shame for Punjab government one day before advising Federal Government how to maintain law & Order,
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So Shahbaz Sharif was in khi talking about the performance of Khi Police and Khi law and order situation… Wow what a joke… Mr Khadim plz hve your house in order first plzzzz
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@Mirza:
What about the killers of Pathan, punjabis, balochis in Sindh particularly Karachi?
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There is no doubt that Punjab Govt has failed in providing security to citizens. Abduction of Shehbaz Taseer from the heart of Punjab is hilarious. At the same time it seems to me that the judiciary is out and about to punish any one associated with the Punjab government. Here is a case for example it took the judiciary no time to convict the rangers for unlawful killing in Karachi of a young man. At the same time it has taken judiciary nearly eight months to get no where with the killer of Salman Taseer. It is also sad to see that any one can walk in to police station or a mosque and claim that Muslim feelings have been hurt by some one. Soon there will be a mob or police contingent to arrest or probably kill the person who has been accused. But nothing happens to the lawyer or his family which killed a 9yr girl to whom they gave nothing to eat or time to sleep. You can guess what will be the next sentence but the danger is if I write, it wont get published so I better stop with question Do Punjab Government has a moral authority to be called as guardian of Punjab. What excuse could be offered at the abduction of Salman Taseer’s son? Poor people are facing the music of hobnobbing between PML-N and defunct terrorist groups. Chief Minister Sahib please, stop playing with the innocent lives of citizens.Recommend
There are reports that the police personnel, who had been detained for security of Taseer family did not turn up, if the report is correct, the punjab government becomes responsible for this horrible occurrence. The performance of Punjab government to contain the terrorists is not visible any where. There are reasons to believe that the Punjab rulers deal the terrorists as their strategic asset.Recommend
@Karachite:
well said.
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@Aamer Khawaja: Nobody can disagree with you. All killings no matter where they are must be condemned by all humans. Nobody deserves to be killed no matter what the excuse is. Killing in any city or province of Pakistan is one of the worst crimes. I do not have enough knowledge or info regarding the killings in other provinces. However, the killer(s) of Salman Taseer and his enemies are well known and in custody. There is no reason to treat them anything but the brutal killers they are, instead of showering them with roses and targeting the victim’s family members.
Thanks and regards,
Mirza
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