KARACHI: Shahbaz Taseer, son of slain Pakistani governor Salmaan Taseer, was kidnapped in the eastern city of Lahore on Friday.
Unidentified men in a black SUV intercepted Taseer’s car and abducted him. The late governor was killed by his bodyguard for his opposition to a controversial blasphemy law this year. His family has said they have been recieving threats from extremist groups.
Local Twitterati expressed anger over Shahbaz's abduction and tweeted their prayers and support for the Taseer family.
Fifi Haroon
What has Pakistan become? What state of lawlessness is this? What utter anarchy? What madness? What fresh hell? How much more can people take?
I don’t live in Pakistan but my heart bleeds four my country. I worry for my family, my friends. I worry for all of you who I have never even met!
At 22 this poor girl (Shehrbano Taseer) has become de facto head of the Taseer family. To go though dad's death, now brother’s kidnapping.
Marvi Sirmed
Stay strong, as you have always been. Prayers and wishes with you Maheen Taseer, Shehrbano Taseer, Aamna Taseer, Sanam Taseer and Sara Taseer
Please don't do this with Taseers. They deserve salutes for still choosing to stay in Pakistan after all that. Let Shahbaz come back safely.
Saba Imtiaz
Really no point in speculating over the who’s and why’s right now. Just makes you look like an idiot and hurts friends and family.
Omar Waraich
It's harrowing, particularly for the family that's already endured so much. Please can we avoid speculation about the captors' motives?
Rezaul Hasan Laskar
What on earth is Lahore police up to? First Warren Weinstein and now Shahbaz Taseer kidnapped in Lahore.
Ali Dayan Hasan
The Taseer kidnapping underscores the failing writ of state and its inability to provide security even to those known to be at high risk
Kazim Alam
They killed SalmaanTaseer in the name of Islam. Is his son's kidnapping also in the sweet name of Islam? Shariat iss bare mai kia kehti hai?
Mehreen Kasana
Wishing strength for Maheen Taseer, Shehrbano Taseer, Aamna Taseer, Tammy Haq. Hang in there. Praying for Shahbaz Taseer.
Madiha Riaz
Never say we've a hit a new low in Pakistan. Your words will come back to haunt you.
Rafaya Sufi
Utter madness. Praying for the Taseer family.
Zara Iqbal
Just when you thought it couldn't get worse ...
Ammar Yasir
It might be an attempt to free Mumtaz Qadri.
George Fulton
Our thoughts and prayers with you all Aamna Taseer, Maheen Taseer, Shehrbano Taseer, Sanam Taseer, Sara Taseer and Tammy Haq
DrAwab Awab Alvi
It’s scary. Shahbaz Taseer being kidnapped when already Pakistan cannot recover the kidnapped American despite full US pressure.
Jemima Khan
Oh God. Awful.
Follow the Tribune Twitterati list to stay updated or track the hashtag #ShahbazTaseer.
COMMENTS (22)
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@Asad
Obviously I was poking fun at religious people who have problems with Taseer's family because their father argued against the blasphemy law. These religious nut jobs have no rationality or sense of empathy. They are all over facebook, blogs, and youtube, spreading hate speech and justifying Salman Taseer's murder. When I try to reason with them, they call Salman a corrupt man; their best evidence for his corruption is the fact that he was part of PPP, which is a generalization.
As far as your allegation that Capitalism is failing "miserably" and that U.S. is on the brink of "economic collapse", I would say its a GROSS EXAGGERATION. I know this because I live in the U.S. Yes, Americans are worried about the economy (Just like the rest of the world), but they are nowhere near "economic collapse", and in much better condition than Pakistan. And capitalism is not a religion, that was the joke part. I think you were joking too when you suggested that Americans should adopt Islam, because so far Islam hasn't worked its magic for Pakistan.
And one more thing, I accidently recommended your comment so don't get flattered that you got a thumbs up.
@Zach Khan
Capitalism is failing miserably in the US, they are on the birk of an economic collapse...they credit rating is falling...It seems the US will noly be saved when they leave caitalism and adopt Islam. and smae goes for Pakistan as well as every other country.
Looking at the comments here... looks like people are not very fond of the Taseer's simply because they are rich and don't suffer the same fate as the majority of poor Pakistanis. Even covering the news of the kidnapping of their eldest son is a taboo now. May be Pakistanis should give up Islam and adopt capitalism as its new religion. It might make them a little more tolerant.
@Khan: this is already happening and law and order situations should get better for all of us not for those part of the elite
I must admit this family is really true in their stance. They have not left the country after Salman Taseer murder. They are true to Pakistan.
@ Ovais, Taseer family has done everything for this country. They have created thousands of jobs and pay millions every year in taxes. The importance of job creators and tax payers cannot be understood by those who live on donations and contribute nothing. Above all, they are human beings and Pakistanis. Salman Taseer is one of the bravest person of our history. He stood up for a poor mother, when all others were scared. He laid down his life, when others were riding with terrorists. Mr. Ovais, go out and help poor, stand up for someone's rights, then you will learn Taseer's greatness.
and to all the people saying Shaheed Salman taseer is not worthy of being called a taseer, get a reality check- no one has the right to judge anyone but Allah and only Allah can decide our faith. Murderers are openly accepted in this society where as brave men like taseer are murdered. Mr. Taseer has done more for this country than you guys have.
to everyone who is claiming if one of them were to be abducted whether they would make it to the front lines of the news. you're right, you probably wouldn't. isn't that the scary part? that if a son of such a high profile man CAN BE abducted in broad daylight, where does that leave you? Stop the hatred. pray for his safe return to his family- the family has suffered enough.
@ET its funny why i cant comment on Benazir being called a shaheed .. I need an answer
@Ovais
Ovais, forget how much money he had or did not have. If and when (God forbid), u or someone in your family gets kidnapped... let's see how u feel or iof ppl discuss ur social status or wealth..
When it comes to suffering, money makes no difference and offers no solace. Talk like a human being! Remember that he's done nothing to deserve this, and the fact that he's "fortunate" enough for the media to pay attention to his case does not make him or his family more fortunate than any other kidnapping incident.
Remember your humanity the next time you decide to share your opinions. We MUST ALL remember ours, it is the easiest thing to lose in these hard times.
What hype?What concerns?You have the karachi gang wars killing innocents everyday, you witness bombs ripping mosques apart, if nothing happens...you see people resorting to suicide as their last resort against rising inflation/anger/poverty/insecurity et al. Crocodile tears for Taseers>?I agree with the comment above, name a SINGLE breakthrough action/initiative Salman Taseer took?As a leader/governor, his shud;ve been a role model.But Alas! the whole family is model only for the gliterrati/fashion industry. What they portray, is sadly, not our culture, neither in line with religion. They are role models for fashion world/tv/media. Ostensibly flaunting wealth and riding expensive cars when they see people dying of hunger arnd them, the 'party scene' at the Taseer's needed to end so that they looked out and saw 'their ppl's' dire straits! Im not happy at Shabaz's kidnapping, nobody can be, but i only hope it serves a lesson for the Taseer's family. Their highhandedness is all too evident, closing down blogs that expose Sara Taseer's copycat designs etc. I'm open to all sorts of allegations(taliban spokesperson) or fundamentalist etc but the truth is out there for you to see. Lastly, I pray that Shahbaz is recovered and that it serves as a lesson!jalalawanathotmail...
This was bound to happen as the culprits of Taseer murder were not punished. We encouraged them for another adventure.
A rich guy kidnapped whats so breaking about this ??
I am sorry Taseer is not a hero he is projected to be. I ask you what has he done for Pakistan apart from that case.
My thoughts are with the Taseer family. Praying for Shahbaz's safe return home, InshAllah.