Yet another kidnapping

One can only hope that Mr Taseer returns home safe as soon as possible.


Editorial August 26, 2011

We are rapidly turning into a land where opinions cannot be expressed; views that clash with the fundamentalist opinion cannot be said out aloud. When this happens, the punishment meted out is one that frightens most into silence. This is, of course, what the extremists want. In January this year former Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer was shot dead by his police guard, who wished to take revenge on the courageously outspoken politician for daring to suggest that the blasphemy laws in the country should not be used to victimise people. It is not yet known if the audacious kidnapping of his son Shahbaz Taseer in Lahore, close to his office, in an upscale part of the city, is linked to his late father’s words. But it is known that the Taseer family has been facing threats in connection with the ongoing case in an anti-terrorism court against Salman Taseer’s alleged killer, Mumtaz Qadri. Since then, Qadri has been declared a martyr by extremist forces while the dead man’s alleged lifestyle is time and again mentioned in court.

Police are also reportedly exploring the possibility that Shahbaz, taken away after armed motorcyclists surrounded his car, dragged him out and drove him away in a larger vehicle, may have been abducted over a business feud. There has, since Salmaan’s death been some litigation involving business affairs. This is, of course, a possibility. But it is disturbing that a broad daylight abduction took place on a day when security was already on high alert because of Jummatul Wida. There are also other aspects to the crime that are disturbing. The kidnapping hit news channel headlines minutes after it occurred. Yet the disappearance of ordinary people, which happens day in day out in this land, goes relatively unnoticed by those in authority. Kidnappings of businessmen, traders and others — some members of minority communities — take place on what is a regular basis across the country but we don’t see the prime minister giving pledges that all state resources will be used to ensure their safe return. Some of these people have been missing for years and in most cases their families lack the influence to make their voices heard. One can only hope that Mr Taseer returns home safe as soon as possible. However, the government also needs to give a thought to the fact that lives of just about every ordinary citizen need to be made safer, whether they ride limousines or motorcycles.



Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2011.

COMMENTS (34)

Abdul Rehman Gilani | 12 years ago | Reply

@Sad Panda:

Explicitly point out my words where I defined liberal as anyone who doesnt agree with me. But still, thanks for justifying name pointing, liberals can justify anything! I simply enjoy them when they generalize others! :D

Abdul Rehman Gilani | 12 years ago | Reply

@Sad Panda:

The punishment for theft in Islam is amputation of the hand. Now tell me how many Muslim countries have effectively imposed this throughout the world today.

Like I said, its an irrational argument that just because 52 Muslim countries dont have a same law, it means its unIslamic. I am not paddling anything, its you who are failing to understand!

@Shock Horror: I am as clear as clear can be. There should be a church as long as it does not cause any problems to the Muslims worshiping inside the Badshai Mosque or causes any other form of distortion to the religious practices there.

Now tell me this, how is the Mosque at Ground Zero causing problems to the Jews and Christians worshiping or distorting their religious practises? You only package up your answer in a vague expression " serious objections", kindly elaborate! on the contrary, buliding this mosque in my view would be a defeat of extremists!

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