RAWALPINDI:
The head of the Punjab Elite Force, Inspector Muhammad Aamir, who was responsible for providing security to former Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, told the anti-terrorism court that he was unsure whether the governor had an altercation on the blasphemy laws with his self-confessed murderer before Mumtaz Qadri shot him on January 4.
Defence lawyers maintained that as the former governor came out of a restaurant in Kohsar Market, Islamabad, Qadri said to Taseer that it did not behove him to criticise the blasphemy laws. Taseer again criticised the laws which provoked Qadri to kill him.
The defence is trying to establish that sudden provocation by the former governor led Qadri to open fire at him to avoid the possibility of capital punishment.
Aamir said it was impossible to believe that Qadri had managed to depute himself as one of the elite guards for Taseer’s escort since members of the force are selected after intense scrutiny.
The inspector was the twelfth prosecution witness produced before Special Judge Pervaiz Ali Shah. The prosecution informed the trial court that they would only produce two more witnesses whereas they had earlier cited 42.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 24th, 2011.
COMMENTS (23)
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I am not commenting on that issue because i havent heard Salman taseer disrespect Prophet in front of me. So i cant comment. as for Qadri he heard something provocating and he reacted creating an example. Give him a death sentence of life imprisonment and we can move on to pressing concerns. As for Asia BB its the courts job to convict her and they convicted her in light of the constitution of Pakistan. When 1000 women are tortured every day she is also one of them for many of you . I have nothing against taseer , I believe there are bigger issues and we can just give qadri a sentence and move on
Lets get this out of the way. You keep commenting about how we should "ignore" Salman Taseer related stories because they are not important. In reality your are trying to defend the actions of Qadri because you think like him. Here is what I think:
Its your kind of mentality because of which there are so many terrorist attacks all over Pakistan. People like you want to cut each other's throat because you disagree with someone's point of view. You stand here defending a murderer, a man who took the law into his hands and became the police, the prosecutor and the judiciary himself. This kind of justice will only create chaos in society. As far as the label of Shaheed goes, I didn't call him shaheed, but a martyr - there is a difference and you can look it up if you don't know. No matter what you say - people outside of deluded Pakistan and Arab countries will always consider him a martyr. I guess I should call you an idiot now. On the other hand, Qadri is no hero. He shot an unarmed men with a gun, 27 bullets, a man he was suppose to protect, a man he was paid to protect. And now he is hiding behind bars and the bigoted molvies and lawyers are providing all the support they can. He is the epitome of cowardice and hypocrisy. Those who support Qadri have no regard for human life, they do not have any sense of empathy or morality, they are as sentient as a rock. People who are supporting this unethical, immoral, archaic law are not helping improve the image of Islam as the "religion of Peace". This whole story is plagued with examples bigotry and intolerance, A Christian women offers water to some one, who refuses to take it because she is "not clean like the Muslims". She allegedly says something disrespectful towards the Prophet and is jailed for that. She is given the a death sentence simply for uttering words that others didn't like (the words were not even repeated at her trial because "they were too offensive"). When a Governor appeals to pardon her and bring amendments to this menacing law, he is shot dead by his own body guard because he used some words to describe the law, which again, some people didn't like. Later, the murderer is considered a hero, given the treatment of a soldier returning home from war, offered legal representation by hundreds of lawyers free of charge, and the victim is given the label of a blasphemer. His family cannot find a single person to lead the Janazah prayers, the person who lead the Janazah prayer is threatened and forced to flee the country. Victim's "western" lifestyle and his wealth is used as an excuse to justify his murder. Afterwards, its even harder to find prosecutors and judges to prosecute the murderer, because everyone is scared for their lives from religious fanatics. His son, who is a witness in the trial is humiliated by the defense attorneys who probe into his fathers personal life and character which has nothing to do with the blasphemy law, and the murder. Later, the son is kidnapped. Its not like Salman Taseer even disrespected the Prophet - he only argued to change the law. This will make a great movie.
Just read this whole story from a neutral point of view. Forget for a second that you are a Muslim or a Pakistani, but remember to be a human being. What happened above, was that fair to the victim? Is that the image of Islam you want to present to non-Muslims? Read the example of the character of the Prophet - he was not so quick to resort to violence. He forgave his enemies, and Islam gives people a chance a repent if they had committed blasphemy unintentionally. Look, you live in a world which is mostly non-Muslims. You have to learn to be tolerant and give people right to speak - if you kill anyone who argues with you everybody will single you out as a backward person. Nobody likes Pakistanis because of the horror stories like this.
@Zach Khan: I am sorry its idiots like you that call salman taseer shaheed. Kindly check the defination of shaheed it certainly doesnt apply to BB or Taseer. I am just saying he killed one and should be brave enough to serve a death sentence or life imprisonment. Get that for him and we can move on to the pressing concerns in pakistan.
For many people Qadri is hero not because he killed a Gustakh E Rasool, He stood for his Prophet. Let him get a sentence and be hero to some and villain to others. I don't get it why he is trying to save himself. He should admit he killed someone whom he heard to do Blasphemy and get the punishment he deserves.
@Ovais
Even if he didn't contribute to society (which he did), are you justifying his murder? Its a big deal because he was killed for a cause. He took the bullet for a helpless women who was sentenced to death for the most ridiculous reason. And its a big deal because the bigots celebrated his death and called his murderer a hero. To me Salman Taseer was a martyr. If Qadri does not get death sentence or at least life in prison without the possibility of parole then the judiciary has failed and the fanatics have won.
He just killed one man and its such a big deal , What about the gang war people killing torturing and abducting thousand when will this democratically elected government take action
Salman Taseers Contribution to this country ?? I ask the liberals to elaborate
It is very sad that shameless people like Quadri was showered with rose petals by many ordinary Pakistanis which makes the entire nation so shameless. Killing is a killing which has no justification. Quadri don't seem to be anywhere near justice espacially when many known good lawyers have offered him free legal service.
Pakistani lawyers disgust me. The images of men in black coats praising, hugging and kissing Qadri after he committed the murder continue to play havoc on my mind.
Is there no limit to lunacy in this country?
@Hedgefunder: I am ashamed to say that there is no answer for me. I cannot find a logical reason to explain any illogical and sensless action. I hate to say it but there is no hope in the near future. Pakistanis are always looking for some country to help them out. Similarly they are looking for somebody from up above or God sent to come and take care of all their social evils and problems. They themselves do not intend to do anything for Pakistan and the society. Thanks for the right comments and questions, regards, Mirza
Another accused to be soon released in the court of law. So far, the proceeding indicate that witnessed are shying away from giving evidence as is the case of the Punjab Elite Force, Inspector Muhammad Aamir, who was responsible for providing security to former Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer. The witness is conveniently forgetting whether the governor had an altercation on the blasphemy laws with his self-confessed murderer before Mumtaz Qadri shot him on January 4. Ofcourse, there was no conversation between the two immediately before the crime. Such information would have come immediately after the incident when there was a glut of statements by witnesses and bystanders to the press. Its cooked up evidence which will be accepted because witnesses will not have the guts to refute it. So prepare yourselves for another 'Ghazi' in your midst. This is the fate of a society where fear and lack of courage to speak the truth is prevalent. Taseer is forgotten as an aberration in this pious society and Qadri is its real hero. Long live hypocrisy and charlatanry. Yes! Persecute people for blasphemy of the Quran on false accusations but let perjurers swearing in on the Holy Koran roam freely.
lawyers have to do there jobs obviously .What about the judiciary are they coming up to the mark to give such big decisions . pressure groups wont regret killing if he is hanged .Do we have such judges as if he is released the judge will be welcomed by groups appearing for his support outside the court. judiciary today have to be strong to take steps which are called due process in law .No pressure should be taken as it involves an issue that is to be understood by our nation. Is the judiciary ready as in the case of ‘Raymond Davis judiciary was too quiet.WHY WHY WHY ?? law needs to interpreted and then has to be seen who wins but ‘Raymond Davis's act was forbidden unlawful even then leaving behind the politicians why was the judiciary quiet. guess law movement rests in peace now and works when only the people subordinate are concerned. this was not the purpose ....
@Mirza: Why has this society really lost the plot to this extent?? It really baffles me, is it the case that Normal Man in Pakistan has no asprirations to raise their children in a fashion of basic education and rights and wrongs of society and its accepted mode or what???
Ah... bunch of Shwang Wang Wang!! Its the duo process people .. even Milasovich's Attorney defendend him, Casey Antony's attorney defended her......so what if Qadri's defence laywer say something.. I think its too early to be agitated about. Let the verdict come. Let them loose him then you can all hue n'cry. or lyunch him if you want. For now Its work in progress..case in proceeding.
Qadri is a hero of Pakistanis and a soldier of Islam. He may be second in popularity only after OBL. Such high are our standards and we complaint that the world is against us! Nobody can openly dare criticize these people in Pakistan without the fear of life.
@Hedgefunder: Talk about 'Raymond Davis' ... not Qadri
I wonder if he is being paid in jail or maybe you don't get those benefits when you only kill one person?
so now its going to be classed as act on basis of provocation, or perhaps on basis of diminished responsibility !!! Some screwed up system this country has, and that is even when tries to work!!!!!
"The defence is trying to establish that sudden provocation by the former governor led Qadri to open fire at him to avoid the possibility of capital punishment."
Are they kidding us ?? he planned the whole thing through he got his duty with the Governor, now they are trying to prove he acted on sudden provocation ???
He should be hanged without further ado.....its a sorry state of affairs that even the criminal cases take so long to get through in our judicial system
Let me guess, Qadri will be released because 'lack of evidence'?
So what they're saying is that it's alright to totally lose control and shoot some one just because you can't control your self and can't engage in rational thought? I suppose that's the same argument these defense lawyers would use to justify karo kari or rape...he couldn't control himself. Whoops!
This is an open and shut case. There are numerous witnesses, he's confessed openly and if necessary, the bullets match his gun. It's ridiculous that it's being dragged on. All those sending flowers and what not to Qadri should also be put on terror watch lists.