Assassinations in Pakistan: Politicians under attack

Timeline of political assassinations in the country.


Afp January 05, 2011

The assassination of the governor of Pakistan's most politically important province Punjab, Salman Taseer, is the latest killing of a politician from the country in recent years.

- October 18, 2007: A suicide attack and another smaller blast targeting former premier Benazir Bhutto kill 139 people in Karachi, as she returned to Pakistan for the first time in eight years.

- December 27, 2007: Bhutto is killed in a shooting and suicide bombing, along with nearly two dozen of her supporters, as she leaves a campaign rally in Rawalpindi, near Islamabad.

- October 2, 2008: A suicide bomber blows himself up at the house of Asfandyar Wali Khan, head of the Awami National Party in Pakistan's ruling coalition, killing four people but missing the politician.

- October 6, 2008: A suicide bomber kills 18 people and wounds Pakistani politician Rashid Akbar Nowani, a minority Shiite MP from the main opposition party in the town of Bhakkar in Punjab province.

- August 2, 2010: Raza Haider, a provincial legislator for the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Sindh, where his party is part of the ruling coalition, is shot dead in Karachi, sparking riots that kill more than 40 people.

- September 16, 2010: Imran Farooq, a founding member of MQM, is murdered in London, where he lived in exile.

- January 4, 2011: Taseer is assassinated by one of his guards in Islamabad. He was one of the most moderate political voices in the main ruling Pakistan People's Party of President Asif Ali Zardari.

COMMENTS (3)

Sonia | 13 years ago | Reply @Jennifer: The struggle is against a brutal force. They kill people and children in masses for the reward of heaven and 72 virgins. But anyways your concern is really humane.
Jennifer Phillips | 13 years ago | Reply I am saddened to hear of this latest murder, the murder of Salmsan Taseeer. Take note all you who are reasonable: murder is never reasonable. "Thou shalt not murder" is an ancient and reasonable law from a God whose prophets claim is reasonable. People of Pakistan, do not let this incident rob you of the courage to stand up for what is right, merciful, fair and just. Life on earth is short so live it courageously, considering how best to employ your time to make this earth a better place for all. Love puts fear to flight and love is the greatest of human experiences.
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