Pakistan

Blasphemy law: Taseer murder trial deferred

Two more witnesses record statements before the trial court inside the Adiala jail.

Express March 06, 2011

RAWALPINDI:

A trial court recorded statements of two more witnesses and adjourned on Saturday the hearing of the murder case of the former governor of Punjab, Salmaan Taseer, till March 26.

The witnesses who recorded their statements were identified as a police draftsman Khurram Shahzad and sub-inspector Muhammad Gulfraz. The case is being heard at the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

Khurram Shahzad told the court about the crime scene and the exact spot where Taseer was assassinated in Sector F-6/4 Kohsar Market on January 4. Subsequently, the sub-inspector told the court about the details of the post-mortem report which was carried out at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

According to the report, governor was shot from behind and there were 26 entry and 14 exit wounds on his body. He was shot from a distance of between four and five feet. The autopsy report also said that the governor’s death had occurred because of a bullet which was lodged in his neck, adding that his heart had remained safe.

On February 26, Malik Mumtaz Qadri, the self-confessed killer of the former Punjab governor, had started after four persons, including CMO of the Federal Government Services Hospital (Polyclinic) Dr Muhammad Arshad, Assistant Sub-Inspector Iftikhar Ali and constable Abdul Raheem of the Koshar police station recorded their statements.

Taseer’s son Shehryar had stated in the FIR that his father was assassinated on the persuasion of certain political and religious groups.

Lawyers defending the self-confessed killer appeared before the court along with Qadri’s father, Bashir Awan, and his brother, Dilpazir.

The former governor’s sister-in-law, Ayesha Tammy Haq also attended the hearing,

Earlier, the police had submitted a three-page charge-sheet in which Qadri was booked under Sections 7 of the Anti Terrorism Act and 302/109 of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of Taseer’s son Shehryar Taseer. Hundreds of Qadri supporters were also present outside the Adiala jail to express solidarity with him.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 6^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (2)

Zarmeena Ikram Babar | 13 years ago | Reply This Murderer doesn't haunt me and infuriate me as much as his supporters does -Mumtaz Qadir is a murderer -he can't be freed according any court of law -he convicted an immoral injury by slaying an innocent in cold blood -you can't kill someone just because he is a wayward -anyways disgust is drooling from this murderer's face and is so obvious in this picture. Govt. should take action against such religious bigots involved in Salman Taseer's murder -they shouldn't be spared at any cost -as far as the murderer is concerened he should be hanged as soon as possible -ppl out there are craving to see justice happening for the change.

Uza Syed | 13 years ago | Reply "Hundreds of Qadri supporters were also present outside the Adiala jail to express solidarity with him." --------------- Shame on them for this display of their hatred for decency and disrespect for rule of law -------- and shame on us for letting this happen!

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