Shahbaz Taseer’s abduction on Friday sparked a sharp exchange between top provincial authorities, with Governor Punjab Latif Khosa lashing out at Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and blaming him for the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab.
Meanwhile Sharif, who spent much of Thursday in Karachi expressing ‘shock and horror’ at its situation, condemned the abduction and vowed to “personally follow up [the case].”
‘PML-N in cahoots with extremists’
Khosa, in a press conference at the Governor House in Lahore, alleged that the abduction was a result of support the Punjab government had been extending to extremists and defunct organisations, and asked the federal government to review its reconciliation policy in Punjab.
(Read: Lahore’s growing Talibanisation)
“The PPP has tolerated the murder of its governor … they would not tolerate this abduction” he said.
Taseer’s abduction in broad daylight from an area lined with police pickets give credence to speculation that Punjab government is either involved in or supported the abduction, he said.
Citing the law and order situation, the governor hinted at an in-house change in Punjab assembly but said that the government will not impose Governor rule in the province.
If Salmaan Taseer’s assassin had been punished, Shahbaz’s abduction could have been avoided, he said, calling upon the Supreme Court to hang Salmaan’s self-confessed killer Mumtaz Qadri.
Sharif springs to action
Shahbaz Sharif termed Taseer’s abduction “regrettable” and said “it cannot be condemned enough,” while speaking to reporters at the Karachi Press Club.
“I have directed the administration and the police to find the culprits and bring them to book,” he said.
In an attempt to lay off responsibility, Sharif said that 26 security officers were deputed by Punjab government to Taseer’s family.
“I believe Shahbaz did not take his security officers with him today, which I wish he had. But this does not mean that this kidnapping should have happened,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2011.
COMMENTS (38)
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@Aamer Khawaja: Nobody can disagree with you. All killings no matter where they are must be condemned by all humans. Nobody deserves to be killed no matter what the excuse is. Killing in any city or province of Pakistan is one of the worst crimes. I do not have enough knowledge or info regarding the killings in other provinces. However, the killer(s) of Salman Taseer and his enemies are well known and in custody. There is no reason to treat them anything but the brutal killers they are, instead of showering them with roses and targeting the victim’s family members. Thanks and regards, Mirza
@Karachite: well said.
@Mirza: What about the killers of Pathan, punjabis, balochis in Sindh particularly Karachi?
So Shahbaz Sharif was in khi talking about the performance of Khi Police and Khi law and order situation... Wow what a joke... Mr Khadim plz hve your house in order first plzzzz
Shame for Punjab government one day before advising Federal Government how to maintain law & Order,
Governor should act like a mature person befitting the office he is occupying.
@Mirza:
Correction. Salman taseer was murdered in islamabad (federal capital territory). Punjab has nothing to do with it as it has no jurisdiction.
Khosa is the only bald man in the world without any wisdom.
Finally, Mr. Khosa is awake, where were you Mr. Khosa when thousand of innocent Pakistanis are being killed and kidnapped on daily bais, you did not utter a single word to sympathies with fellow Pakistanis and now you feel a pain, I pitty you.
Son of ex governer and US citizen are no imprtant then a common man. Why governer not speaks for poor people who are getting slaughtered in Karachi everyday.
Hope khosa reminds sindh CM of his duties as well. He has plenty of time to give free advice. Governer has nothing to do apart from criticising government
PPP's despration to score political points
NRO := Non Resident Observor ! lol
Khosa being Taseer-ic ... just that! :)
So what is the establsihment going to say now ? I think it will say "Indiscriminate surgical operations will be launched and the target abductors will be brought on national TV to confess their crimes. All stake holders have been taken on board and a report will be presented within 48 hours."
1- Where was him a week before this? he is the governor he would have come out and said that CM is lax? Now grapes are sour, now its political mileage! 2- It is sad that a person is abducted, but just cause he is Taseer's son, all the media is on the news? what about other issues? What did Taseer as a governor bring to the province apart from fighting the Sharifs (who are similar kind of goons?) 3- Many common men get abducted and killed, governor never said anything, just cause an elite is abducted things are in full swing? 4- Sialkot lynching case has been delayed due to federal Minster Ashiq Awans interventions, she is from PPP, where was Governor then?
They are all goons, so one of them now got abducted, things are in full swing!
Very surprised at the sttatement of Khosa. In Sindh everyday businessmen are kidnapped for ransom but nobody blames the CM. What was so special about the Taseer's son? Was he more than a Pakistani citizen?
@Blithe: English please! it shouldn't be "a NRO".
Seems like all the governors produced by PPP are extremely political and only inflame the situation. These people obviously have some aversion to their own country. I mean, who says stuff like this? It is very sad the dude got kidnapped but his life/liberty is not more precious than the thousands who have gone missing or those who get kidnapped every other day.
There are a few eye opening facts: Sharif brothers have been more Saudi/Wahabi agents than they have been Pakistanis. They have close relationships with local Taliban and similar groups. Rana Sana has been their front man. Does any other province have a "law" minister like Rana Sana. All PML-N goons get a free hand from the "independent" judiciary. They are free to attack police and get away with it. Punjab govt which roules more than half of the population of the country and is responsible for law and order in the province takes no responsibility. Whatever is happening in Punjab including corruption PML-N has no part of it, only PPP is responsible for that. The killing of Salman Taseer was a clear act of terrorism. However, the killer is having a great time in safety of jail and courts are waiting for??? In Sind Sarfaraz Shah's killers have already been tied and convited but not mullah Qadri in Punjab, why? I can go on and on but I have made my point(s).
The murderer of Salman Taseer was showered with rose petals by Lawyers in Pakistan!
Yes Lawyers.
I think there is now further demand for rose petals.....
Please do not politicise this sad incidence.
Why don't we make him Governor of Sindh?
Blame game starts, it does not help in solving the problem. If Gov. Khosa is blaming Sharif brothers for Punjab then Sindh which is governed by PPP is no better. Karachi is worse. Gov. Khosa and Sharif brothers should work together to find and get Shahbaz Tassir back to his family well and alive. Our thoughts and Dua are with Taseer Family.
"Khosa blames lax attitude of Punjab CM for Taseer's abduction"
So Khosa should also blame lax attitude of Sindh CM for the murderous rampage and target killings in Karachi?
Give me a break. These politicians need to grow up and lead rather just finger point. The economy is in shambles, security situation across the country is the worst it has ever been. Please the PPP is as much to blame as any other party if not more since they are forming the government in the center.
Shahbaz’s abduction seems to be a mystery.
He was abducted at the time when Punjab CM was out of town.
It seems that Shabaz’s abductors were waiting for the CM to go out of town to abduct him.
Even thou i STRONGLY disagreed with the late Salman Taseer on many fronts, his religious views in particular, i am very sorry to hear about his son`s kidnapping. Hope he gets back soon to his family. In the future, the Taseers should be more cautious, since the lack of it has undoubtedly resulted in this incident.
Isn't a political person after becoming President,Governor,Chairman senate and Speaker becomes a neutral person. One reason of our problems is the inability of these position holders to fit in their new role. Governor Khosa needs to act as a saner person. If he really think that Punjab Government is incompetent he should impose Governor Rule. Please do not confuse the issue, Mr. Governor.
One blame must go on the lad for not keeping his guards informed. Another blame, undoubtedly, must go to the Punjab CM. He is personally supporting many terrorists outfits and his open support for Wahabbi-Saudi funded terrorism in our country is notable. That's rather unfortunate. Since both brothers have lived in Saudi Arab they've been badly influenced by their ulemas and the result may be seen in rising terrorism across our country in form of suicide bombings on Tombs of Saints, etc.