Pending investigation: PPP split over Taseer’s judicial inquiry

Kaira says judicial proceedings to begin soon, Malik says no need for any judicial inquiry.

LAHORE: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is yet to decide whether the assassination of the late Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer should be probed through a judicial inquiry or not, judging by the contradicting statements issued by two federal ministers in Lahore on Friday.

Minister for Information Qamar Zaman Kaira said that judicial proceedings of Taseer’s assassination will be initiated soon, while Interior Minister Rehman Malik stated that investigations have been completed. Malik further stated that there was no need of any judicial inquiry.

While talking to reporters outside Taseer’s residence, Kaira said that Taseer was an asset to the PPP and no one will be able to fill the vacuum left by his death. He said that the assassination was an unforgettable tragic incident for PPP.

The minister further said that judicial proceedings will be initiated soon and that all problems will be resolved with the consultation of the national leadership. He further said that appointment of Sardar Latif Khosa as the new Punjab governor will increase political consensus.

Meanwhile, after a meeting with Khosa, Malik expressed the hope that relations between the Punjab government and the new governor will remain cordial.

He further expressed confidence in Khosa’s ability to promote harmony between the PPP and the PML-N in Punjab. He said that from now on no one will hear of any quarrel between the two parties.

Khosa stated that after his visit to Naudero he will be meeting with PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and reiterated that all the political parties will be on board in the current democratic government.

He said that he would work with the Punjab government in order to improve the law and order situation in the province, and added that it was the PPP’s philosophy to serve the nation.

Khosa condemned the killing of Geo news reporter Wali Khan Babar and expressed his grief over his tragic death.

Sacked federal minister for science and technology Azam Khan Sawati and Abida Hussain also met with Khosa at the governor’s house and congratulated him on his new appointment.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15^th,  2011.