Shahbaz Taseer abducted from Lahore
Shahbaz Taseer, son of late Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer, was abducted from the Gulberg area of Lahore on Friday.
The Express Tribune’s Asad Kharal reports Taseer had left his house from Cavalry Ground in his silver Mercedes Kompressor (LZT-1) for his office around 10:15am. Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore said his car was intercepted by a black SUV and motorbike around 600 yards from the office and up to three men dragged Taseer out of the car and took him away.
Family sources said they had been informed of the kidnapping when a company driver passing by the area saw Taseer’s car abandoned in the street.
The kidnappers headed to Firdous Market via Cavalry Flyover, which leads straight to DHA Lahore and the cantonment areas. A traffic warden in the area reported a black SUV, white corolla and a motorbike sped through the area and made a sharp turn, which resulted in a black Kalashnikov dropping out of one of the cars.
“Shabhaz was out with a friend when four unidentified people kidnapped him,” his brother Sheryar Taseer told Reuters.
“Our family has been receiving threats from the Taliban and extremist groups,” he said, adding they could be behind the abduction.
Official sources said Shahbaz Taseer had some property disputes and had also been receiving threats recently.
No one has claimed responsibility.
Taseer was travelling without any security today and is normally reported to have travelled in a silver Prado with Elite force and police guards.
Police is also retrieving CCTV footage from the area to help with investigations.
One of the guards posted with Shahbaz Taseer was taken into custody and had his weapon seized when police questioned him and he revealed another guard was on leave. He had not left the house with Taseer but had later been told to go to the office.
Two police personnal, Liaquat and Sharafat, were posted with Taseer.
Police officials said the Taseer family had a total of 12 police and five Rangers personnel posted with them.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has taken notice of the incident and has issued directives to Inspector General of Police (IG) Punjab and Chief Secretary Punjab to take immediate action.
A Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) team, on the directives of Director Punjab and Interior Minister Rehman Malik, has started investigations.
A National Response Center for Cyber Crimes (NR3C) team visited the office, home and checked Shahbaz Taseer’s car to collect forensic evidence. The team consisted of Deputy Director NR3C Sajjid Akram Chaudhry, SHO NR3C Ahmer Naeem, forensic expert Abdul Ghaffar and hardware engineer Muhammad Usman.
Background
Shahbaz Taseer, who is the eldest son of former governor Salmaan Taseer, is a director in several companies his father founded, including Pace Pakistan Ltd., First Capital Equities Ltd., Media Times Ltd. and First Capital Securities Corp. Ltd.
This is the second high profile kidnapping in Lahore during the last two weeks. Earlier on August 13, armed men had abducted US aid expert Warren Weinstein from his residence in the city.
Late governor of Punjab, Salmaan Taseer was shot dead on January 4 this year by his security guard.
A vocal critic of the blasphemy law, Salmaan Taseer showed his overwhelming support for Aasia Bibi, the woman charged with making disrespectful remarks against the Holy Prophet (pbuh), and condemned the controversial law on several occasions.
Last week, the cleric who led the funeral prayers for Salmaan Taseer was forced to flee the country following threats.
According to a report by the Press Trust of India, Muhammad Afzal Chishti, the secretary general of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Ulema wing, left the country after having received numerous threats against his life.
COMMENTS (211)
To begin with,a well written and informative article.
However I have a question that has been on my mind the moment I read the following line:
"Police officials said the Taseer family had a total of 12 police and five Rangers personnel posted with them."
What I do not understand is that why do these gov. personel have to employed with this family.Were not all the official benefits and security due to their father and should not all these benefits be dissolved?
I also do not understand the unjust and huge diversity the country has.Looking at the various Taseer family images, it is hard to imagine they live in the same city where electricity and water supplies are compromised for more then half a day and the simple citizens,for whom these governors are employed are suffering.
These are national assets that are being used for personal benefits, what is the explanation?
@Sad Panda: Dear, google the decision of the Federal Shariat Court regarding the Blasphemy law in 1990, in over 60 articles, this law has been validated, enough said.
First the CM orders IG to appoint suspicious ( religious extremist ) guards with former governor and now his son. Once the incident happens , they are first ones to get arrested. The arrest of guards is understandable as abductors knew Taseer is travelling alone and only his family or his guards would have known this fact.
In the war of the titans N league and PPP , these religious bigots are being used as pawns. Its the war between the richest and most influential families of Pakistan with one ( taseer ) having brains and other ( Shareefs ) having backing of religious extremists.
I meant "write" not "right" on my above comment.
what makes me wonder is that why is everybody so concerned about his car???????????
@Gilani "I said it before and say it again, check out what that devil incarnate salman rushdie did, if you want people like him to spawn here in Pakistan, your asking for trouble."
Well said, Sahib. If we give a inch to the liberals we will spawning Salman Rushdie's like frogs in the monsoon. Then will have to eat frogs like the French :-)
How many Salman Rushdie are walking around on this earth to warrant a law in Pakistan which is being used to kill so many and incarcerate so many others.
@Gilani, what you right is the truth and the rest is not??? Talk about being a narcissist person. You have not provided a single refrence from hadith, a similar law in a different islamic country(only Afghanistan has something similar to ours) or a any other reference from islamic history. As I said before you are packaging your views as facts are arguing.
@M:
Truth hurts doesnt it? I only said the truth about Taseer, and majority of the population agrees. I am no judge, but I have all right to comment on a person who has the power to influence lives just like you and other liberals can mock Dr. Amir Liaquat Hussain( and please, dont declare me his supporter or apologist of his video).
@Mobeen:
I dont understand, why do liberals generalize so much! Did I justify suicide attacks!? I only said that I disagree with the liberals( which also makes me a liberal in some sense) when I say that salman taseer was NO HERO! For that, I have been dubbed terrorist to fundamentalist!
@Sad Panda:
I said it before and say it again, check out what that devil incarnate salman rushdie did, if you want people like him to spawn here in Pakistan, your asking for trouble.
@Bob: Same is the case with yours, by the way, what I wrote is the truth, if you have evidences to the contrary which disproves the self-centered attitude, bring it.
Yeah everyone so called liberals are crying when these high profile kidnappings happen? They don't think about poor ones.
I agree with Dr SA Khan. The Taseer family should publicly appologise on TV for insulting the Blasphemy laws. I am sure he will be released. Although I don't 100% agree with what has happened to Tasser but he did insult Islam.
I did think hours on this tragic incident. I gone deep and tried to search the reason behide this then come to some conclusion.According to my anxious conclusion it is a result of some matters relating to the near past.
Sulman Tasee was governeor Punjab,he supported a woman trapped in blasphemy ring by saying some thing wrong.Not only majority of the people disliked it but his personal bodygaid was badly instigated by that and further more,availing a chance the body gaid,mumtaz Mumtaz Qadri short him to kill.
According to the present situation,killer is in jail and murder trial against him was going on,he is waiting his fate which is attributed to the judgment of the court.
You remember,he was brought to the court at the date of hearing and the people including many lawers assembled around him and showered rose petals.
We can not disregard,there is TTP in Pakistan operating in and around for paticular interestd.Many other orgnisation are in the field and have continued contact with each others.
Such oufits want to release the killer,so, uner a considered conspiracy they have kidnaped the sone of the slain governor for bargaing.
Bargianing process is going to take start,openly or serectly,you will see plwase wait.
@Abdul Rehman Gilani: I would have considered him a hero if he had done something worthwhile instead of chanting against the blasphemy laws just to please a particular mindset which exists in a minority in Pakistan
OK, NOW I get it what you've been trying to say all along. It's almost impossible for some people such as yourself, to rouse up courage within yourselves, and support someone who stands up for the underdog. Thank you for finally explaining the reason behind your stance.
@ibrahim:
symbolic representation of our country.
love how the PTV logo is on upside down.
@Abdul Rehman Gilani: shame on ur thinking - which mindset you are talking abt - the same which kill muslims while praying in mosques and yes you will never call it blasphemy. Corruption, injustice and fraud in the name of Islam is not blasphemy and to raise voice against a law which is used for discrimination is blasphemy.
@Abdul Rehman Gilani:
Sorry, but your opinions aren't "the truth" no matter how much you wish it were so.
People need to stop blogging, tweeting, commenting on why there is so much publicity for just one guy and what about the other people who get kidnapped. WELL, really it's because the Taseer family has done what no one could, they have said what no one could say, they have stood against injustice when no else did. Yes it is sad that people get kidnapped, shot, beaten to death, etc, but the reason why there isn't so much publicity for those people its because as citizens of Pakistan they haven't done anything to make this country a better place to live in, the Taseer's also being citizens of Pakistan try their best to make this country a better place to live in. Their family is a role model for every citizen in Pakistan. The Taseer's don't just live for themselves they live for Pakistan. They don't care about what happens to their lives but they do care what happens in Pakistan, the injustice that we are subjected to every day of lives, the barbarianism we have to cope up with every day, they speak up against all the atrocities. For those of you who think this is what the family deserved, that is your opinion I cannot change it, no one can, but if you have at least an inch of humanity then don't write such degrading, horrible and disgusting comments. For the sake of mere humanity. For the sake of what's left of this excuse of a country, lets unite and pray for the well being of Shahbaz Taseer.
@Sad Panda: "What does Kashmir has to do with this sad episode?" ? Here's what if you still can't get it:- Even after such atrocities and lawnessness Pakistanis will not raise a finger against the perpetrators and their supporters, but even support them!!!! But talk about USA, Kashmir, Norway and Denmark, you are guaranteed of chest thumping thousands on the streets!!! LOL!! This irony really amuses me no end!!
I hope he comes back home safe and sound. I feel sorry for what has happened. Having sae). id that i feel sorry for that poor guy stripped naked and forced to perform unspeakable sexual acts and whose fate is unknown (probably killed). I feel sorry for the other naked man lying still with a hood over his head (not sure if he was dead or alive). I feel sorry for them because they were being abused and tortured in full knowledge that they would be killed once their kidnappers were done with their fun. Those men died in the knowledge that there would be no protest, no candlelight vigil, no endless calls to bring their killers to justice, In short because they literally were nobodies, nobody really cares.
There is a class of people in this country who prefer to live in their own little bubble and only come out to protest once that bubble is breached. Other than that the rest of the poor sods can just go to hell while they dine on their caviare and sip their vodka etc.. etc..
@Abdul Rehman Gilani So what if he was an open drinker. You are saying that justifies him getting killed or bad things happening to him. If you know anything about Islam, realize that judging people is the biggest sin. Only God can judge us, not you, or Mumtaz Qadri, or the Taliban, al Qaeda, Lashkar e jhangvi, sipah-e-sahaba etc... Look at your own inner self before remarking about peoples private lives.
May God keep this young man out of harm's way.
@Abdul Rehman Gilani: Better to make a man like Salman Taseer, who died because he stood up for someone, into a hero. Than, make a hero out of his cold blooded killer, who apparently couldn't 'control himself' because he was too ignorant of the same faith he claims to follow. Wouldn't you say?
It is a pity to see the whole state apparatus in function when somebody high profile gets abducted. Are other Pakistanis NOT Pakistanis, or simply just not human. What a coincidence when shahbaz bhatti was murdered "coincidentally" he did not opt for security that day. Same is the case with Shahbaz Taseer. This govt is either accomplice or incompetent. I pray for safe and urgent return for Shahbaz Taseer.
I wasn't aware of this "Aasia bibi" until now, this country seems to be getting more polarised with each passing day!!!
A traffic warden in the area reported a black SUV, white corolla and a motorbike sped through the area and made a sharp turn, which resulted in a black Kalashnikov dropping out of one of the cars.
Ah! The everpresent 'white corolla'. Any idea where do they come from and where do they go. Those in doubt may read Mohammad Hanif's 'A Case of Exploding Mangoes'.
Why police is not so efficient for common man? I even did not know that police have forensic experts and laboratories. Well may be they are used only for rich people cases.
who cares about 98% common man.
@Mustafa Khan:
Dear, when seculars give insulting remarks to Zia-ul Haq, its "freedom of expression", But if someone talks truthfully about a trait that was OPEN regarding Taseer then liberal/seculars become the obelisks of virtue and professors of religion and hence issue a "fatwaa" declaring it ghaybat. So I suggest that before you preach others, check out your own hypocrisy.
@Amir:
Your absolutely right. Hundreds are killed by "liberal secular" ANP,MQM,PPP but these liberals stay silent...... but if shahbaz is wrongly abducted they go into a frenzy!
A son has been kidnapped – (blame the media if it chooses to project the Taseers and not many of the “pious” individuals posting here) – but don’t hold the family publicly accountable against your moral standards.
Something like this should not be wished upon anyone – rich/poor/muslim/non-muslim.
Just imagine what your mother would go through if this happened to you. and maybe then, you’ll refrain from the absurdity you’re spreading.
Another SAD thing as an human
Rana Sanaullah has links with such groups. May be he gives some lead if questioned. I wish Taseer returns home safely.
Foreign hand should not be ruled out.
I will advise Taseer Family to say SORRY for what Salman taseer said about blasphemy law at that time. This will give a soft message to those who targeted salman taseer. But foreign hand should not be ruled out.
very sad
Time is coming to develop a new Communiting police system . There is no long term planning of police who's make sure that a new advance and active system of policing . Criminal is advanced day by day and also moving one province to another After the operation launch in Karachi . Why police is always waiting for another incident . Its time to CHANGE the System.
@Atif Anjum: How naive you are to think that the "Phroot walas" on the M M Alam road conspired this kidnapping, perhaps because Taseer would'nt let them park their thelas near his office.
Extremism here is not reaching a conclusive deduction, but the kidnapping of someone that happened in broad daylight. Neither you nor I could this. It has to be a political party or a banned group. Weinstein's kidnapping of a similar pattern has been owned by Tehreek-Taliban
@Gunahgar: You are a gunahgar for your reasoning. Rest Allah will judge.
Here your "poor" had a Toyota Land Cruiser, a White Corolla, several bikes and so many klashinkovs stuffed in them that they just popped out on turnings. And yeh they were acing it on petrol. Even a middle-class person like me cant afford to drive my FX when theres no CNG.
@Abdul Rehman Gilani:
Yes, why not? Are you proud that people disappear on our streets into thin air until huge ransoms make exchange and find their ways into pockets of policemen and politicians? Can you fathom that a person with such security can be targeted, then think about yourself and me.
And what one is in their personal lives, is none of your business. Or is it that now you seem to have taken over the role of judgement also from Allah. He shall punish those he deems sinful and it is not your business to cry for blood just because somebody drinks. If you really think that is the case, say nuke Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait- these places and the people here drink a lot more than people in Pakistan and God forbid they speak the "Lugha-al-Aseel" (Arabic) with the same mouth that drinks from bottles.
If you are so upright, I did also like to see you condemn yourself for you have just committed "Ghibat", a frightful sin talking about a dead man. But then, its you in your anonymity and spewing hatred is so much easier.
Pakistan is on the brink of failure. But what will really push us over the edge is that people like you who are educated and supposedly young, smart and upcoming are blind to accept reality. Its you not these politicians who will make a failed state. You Gilani, you.
@Trbune Moderators
I notice that my comment has not been posted even though I had only mentioned some facts about hinduism. but this Arjun's comments have been posted. Please have his comment removed as he is provoking and insulting muslims by his blasphemous comment.
Please be careful not to publish such comments and kindly have his comment removed.
@Aftab Kenneth Wilson: well, Mr have you ever made this demand for Karachi, where hundreds of people have been murdered in most foul ways. Where politicians are killing people. I don't understand why our media and so called liberals cry foul when they are hurt and continue playing harping peace, when bodies of innocent are drilled and young boys are raped in Karachi. It is shameful and disgusting.
I regret at ur poor memory Mr.Amir. Killing in Karachi is not new phenomena to be atributed to PPP. It started in mid 80s. In 1986, I was in Karachi, killing of average 200 citizen was common. Abduction of Shahbaz Taseer is tragic. His father was only politician who was not at least hypocrite.
@sulman: what you think of Traffic Warden ? o yeah he is equipped with IRON MAN suite ?
Pakistan main problems are these so called liberals. They plundered the country and its people and left poor with no option except kidnapping and suicide attacks. They can get away with every wrong, no matter how is serious that is. They twist laws for their own purposes and can mock superior courts and law is slave to them. Law only comes into action against poor, while to protect skin of Moonis Elahi FIA high ups perpetrate bomb hoaxes at their own head office. The only opportunity poor have in this country to either either become militants or robbers, no other way. ST was good man and died for a cause, very well, but would it not have been good to pay his employees-who are without pay for around a year- instead of locking horns with well established ethos of a society.
@Amir: okay he is an elite so what? he is being given coverage because he is the son of our late governor not just because he is an elite. And about the kidnapping of an ordinary man, haven't you seen the latest coverage on karachi violence in express tribune, geo news etc etc? what more do you want? i think the media have covered enough of that too.
my prayers are with taseer family, inshAllah he will return very soon safely. and to all haters, get off, taseers are one of the most courageous ppl of pakistan that besides the tragic death of salman taseer, they decided to stay in pakistan. Salman taseer was one of the most charitable and outspoken people. he went to help out the flood victims last year. He did not get his deserved pay as being a governor. Please give him and his family some respect PLEASE.
@MS - Mariya: With all respects, can you please honestly tell me that when son/daughter of ordinary person(daily wager/poor) is kidnapped then do our police, media and other agencies act in similar fashion as they acted today? no way madam, no way. Police don't even bother to listen to these "Pakistanis". Mr Shahbaz is not an ordinary man, he belong to elite class who can buy every thing in this dear homeland ,even justice.
For @Abdul Rehman Gilani & his followers this is not about secular's and liberals its about intolerance from religious extremist who have decided to be judge and jury. They have warped Islam to their benefit and have decided the fate of Pakistan to be a failed violent state. Their intolerance to minorities and the persecution and death of people with different opinions is a contrast of the real practices and meaning of Islam. Mr. Jinnah never did vision of this sick twisted intolerant religious extremist society for Pakistan. We need to take back our country from religious fanatics and that seems an enormous tasks that has no immediate leaders.
Simply impose Governor's Rule in Punjab. The rulers of this province are known sleeping partners with blacklisted and banned outfit. Jehadi groups are preaching hate and moving around freely stuffed with latest armament. Pointed nurseries of extremists have already been pointed out both by the local and foreign agencies. It is time to take action before this province brings down the whole system of governance in our country. Judiciary and law enforcers of lesser importance have totally failed or are incapable to act against these barbarians.
A German cleric in Nazi Germany said , " first they came for the communists then they came for the trade unionists ? Then they came for the Jews I did not speak out because I was not a Jew . Then they came for me and there was no body left to speak for me " Beware time is fast approaching when none will be spared " .
I don't find words to express my outrage on this act of terror with a family. How much more blood would be enough to satisfy the hatered of religious terrorists and their apologists? Very soon the independent judiciary would find this case "a personal" dispute. If Qadri did not kill Taseer in front of dozens of people, that murder would also be on the basis of personal disputes. Sorry to say, but the way things are moving, like Bhuttos, not a single Taseer would be left alive.