Death anniversary: Activists pay tribute to Salman Taseer

Call for uniform application of law on all convicts including Mumtaz Qadri

ISLAMABAD: A group of civil society activists gathered at the Kohsar Market on Monday to remember slain Punjab Governer Salman Taseer on his fifth death anniversary.

Taseer was gunned down, by a member of his police escort, on January 4, 2011, at Kohsar Market, purportedly for his support to victims of the country’s blasphemy laws.

PPP youth wing hung a banner between two trees, while the participants lit candles, chanted slogans and a few made speeches.

They called on the government to ensure uniform application of law with regards to convicted criminals, including Mumtaz Qadri, the guard who murdered Taseer.

They also called for the safe return of Salmaan Taseer’s son Shahbaz Taseer, who was kidnapped by the TTP and now being held for ransom, along with former PM Yousaf Raza Gilani’s son.

Activists also demanded even-handed action regarding Madrassas vis-à-vis INGOs and NGOs.

Speakers said some extremist and sectarian outfits were still operating with impunity in the country despite tall claims under the National Action Plan.

Candle light vigils were also held in Lahore and Karachi. Speakers highlighted Taseer’s struggle for the downtrodden. Participants held placards carrying slogans against extremism and terrorism.

Many celebrities took to Twitter to remember Taseer. “Martyrs never die,” Tweeted Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari along with pictures of Taseer with Benazir Bhutto.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2016.