I fervently hope that Shahbaz Taseer is back by the time these lines are published. However, the past few days have been distressing to see the Taseer family facing yet another trying phase. The young Taseer was abducted on a busy Lahore road on August 26. His case is not uncommon in a country where kidnapping is becoming a popular strategy with the state, criminal gangs and militant outfits. Hundreds of Pakistanis are missing across the country for various reasons. Despite the intervention of Superior Courts and pronouncements by the political executive, little progress has been made.
Taseer’s abduction followed the kidnapping of Dr Warren Weinstein, representative of a US consulting firm, J E Austin from his house in an affluent part of Lahore. Dr Weinstein is a 70-year-old man suffering from various ailments and his life is surely in danger. These kidnappings say a lot about the level of policing in the province. A Police Force notorious to suppress citizens especially the poor is obviously ill trained to handle such cases. In fact, the police mishandling of forensic evidence in Shahbaz Taseer’s car — right under the watch of TV cameras — speaks volumes for the incompetence in basic treatment of crime scenes. In the case of Dr Weinstein, as media reports suggest, they may have botched up the recovery process by hasty announcements about his possible location.
In his interview with BBC, Shahbaz Taseer immediately after his father’s murder shunned violence and expressed his family’s desire to live in Pakistan. A peaceful, soft-spoken young man is a target of the abductors whose identity thus far is not known. There have been speculations of all sorts but nothing can be stated with confidence. However, the abductors have sent a powerful message to Pakistanis: there are groups stronger than the state that can pick up high-profile targets at will.
Last February the son-in-law of the former Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), General Tariq Majid was also kidnapped and thus far he has not been recovered. Media reports suggest that a sectarian outfit affiliated with the Taliban is responsible for the abduction and have asked for a hefty ransom amount in addition to the release of hundreds of militants. The question that comes to mind is that if a top military commander’s family is not safe then how can the bloody civilians feel safe in the nuclear-armed fortress of Islam?
Civilian men in charge of the country — the prime minister and the Punjab chief minister have assured the Taseer family that Shahbaz Taseer will be recovered soon. The chief minister has shown extraordinary interest in this case and the negative statements from the PPP side are quite unfortunate since this is not the time for political bickering.
It has been extremely disappointing to note that there are many in Pakistan who are quick to indulge in hate-mongering. On Twitter and other interactive web forums (as well as sections of Urdu Press), nasty comments on the abductions from Lahore have been made.
Needless to say that the missing Baloch and scores of other Pakistanis who have been taken away by state agencies or the militants require immediate attention of the government. Pakistan’s apparent state of free fall has to be arrested. Shahbaz Taseer is an innocent young man who must be recovered soon and the criminal gangs operating with apparent impunity should be tackled with an iron hand.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2011.
COMMENTS (47)
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@Zach Khan:
It only takes a liberal to twist a question into an opinion. And ironically, a church even held a prayer for Osama, and that too in Florida!
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2072793,00.html
And by the way, US has killed hundreds of thousands around the world, especially Iraq, would you declare it a terrorist too? :D
@Abdul Rehman Gilani:
Are you actually saying that OBL operation was a bad thing? He was a terrorist who killed 3000 people. Are you showing sympathy for OBL? What do you think U.S. should have done? OBL and all these terrorist groups are like Pakistan's Garbage. Killing Osama is equivalent of someone else cleaning your messy house. Or are you complaining about U.S. stealth operation that incompetent Pakistani Army couldn't detect in time? I am a little confused as to what you are complaining about. Whatever the case is, I would thank U.S. for killing OBL rather than complain about it.
Iraq War: Many liberals have consistently criticized the U.S government for the Iraq war. As a matter of fact it was the religious right (they are equivalent of mullahs of Pakistan) who supported the Iraq war. George Bush was not a liberal by any means, he was a conservative. So your little theory about "liberals" being behind all the bad things in Muslim world eats itself.
@Abbas from the US:
Dear, what the US thinks does not count to what the people of Pakistan think. Talk about Pakistan. Heck, gays are allowed open marriage in the world, does that justify it! Or will we sweep it under the rug using the "human rights" slogan(which liberals love using). But fact is, liberal may have a different connotation in the west, but in Pakistan, it has a totally different meaning.
And by the way, since your all into human rights and are against the death sentence, did you protest against the US operation on OBL, or for the lies against Iraq? :D
@Abbas from the US
Well said. Some people completely misunderstand what liberalism is. Maybe they are just too lazy and didn't bother to look up the wiki article on liberalism.
@Abdul Rehman Gilani
You keep throwing a tantrum on how liberals do this liberals and that. Listen, Liberals care about human life. It doesn't matter if the victim is rich or poor. As for the Karachi violence, someone pointed out to you before that the author has already written about it. Here is the link (again):
http://tribune.com.pk/story/206032/what-needs-to-be-done-in-karachi/
So stop complaining about the non-existing "double standards". You can't bury your head in the sand forever when confronted with the problems that Mullahs have created.
@Sad Panda:
You make it sound as if liberalism and the word liberal has some negetive connotations. It probably depends on where you are addressing a socio political issue from. In America people like me wear the badge of a liberal with great honor. Where the liberal stands for human life even to the extent of being against the death penalty and agreeing to pay extra taxes to intern violent criminals serving life sentences without parole. Because on the other end of the spectrum is the counterpart to the Pakistani Taliban, the Chrisitian Taliban, the American religious right wing nuts. Their views remind me so much of some of the people expressing inhuman views provoked by this abduction of someone, from the already dwindling voices of Pakistan's conscience today.
@Gilani. You need to learn to respect the opinions of others. Anyone who is not inline with your train of thought, you go ahead and label them as liberals. If anyone wants to lament the kidnapping of Shahbaz Taseer its their prerogative and you must not tell them what to do. Countless articles have been written on Karachi issue and even today whole TV programs have been dedicated to Karachi situation and not even a single TV anchor has bought up this abduction. If you do not like to read about Shahbaz Taseer and do not care about it than you do not have to read the article in question, you can just ignore it.
@Salahudin. I have a right to my opinions. Where are you and your liberal type when 1000's of people are killed in karachi by secular parties. You liberals can not stand criticism and believe your point of view is better than others. One rich kid gets kidnapped and you pessimistic people start talking about the demise of Pakistan. No one cares about this issue outside of Lahore.
another kidnapping sad, taseer thing is irrelevant
@ Abdul Rehman Gilani
Sure, killing someone who disagrees with you isn't equivalent of being in the Dark Ages.
/Sarcasm.
@Absar: "Never found such a vocal and completely dedicated column of yours in the case of “missing persons” who are in hundreds. If there is any, please let me know, I might have missed it!" You did not find it because you probably did not look for it. Cyril Almeida of Dawn has written several columns on the missing Balochs. Najam Sethi has also talked about this issue n Aapas Ki Baat several times.
Tolerant and liberal people care about the death of any Pakistani and not just one belonging to a particular region, religion or ethnicity. The Karchi issue also has been covered in great depth in the media. Unsure why you and several other commenters seem to imply that those issues were not covered.
@Abdul Rehman Gilani
How could one behave so ruthless? The writer is talking about a particular kidnapping incident, where we need to show a little grace to talk against this heinous crime but unfortunately you are still trying to take this opportunity to malign those who just have a "difference of opinion" with you on different sociopolitical and religious issues. Even if you are a "rightist" and a "traditional religious" person, you can still behave like a human in such a grave and unfortunate situation.
Raza, as usual, a great and fearless article. I hope and pray for the taseer family and hope that they recover Shabaz soon. I am truly sickened by the narrow minded people on this forum who are trying to score religious points at somebody's abduction. May allah guides all of us to be peaceful and better muslims and stop the free falling of Pakistan. Keep up the good work, Raza.
@Abdul Rehman Gilani:
Perverse? The same could be said about yours!!!!!! One without any proof, logic or explanation that would be agreeable to the rational mind.
@Abbas from the US:
They really should come for you, for you have the most perverse ideology in all of them, second to the Communists.
liberals are infinitesimal only because their third-class ideology isnt accepted by the majority of the people of Pakistan and is ample proof thereof. And being religious/conservative does not tantamount to the ideals of europe in the Dark Ages, please dont compare Islam with Christianity.
Looking at it from afar, both Shabaz and Sherbano Taseer represent the last flickering flames of enlightenment in the process of being extinguished. These young people may not be representative in terms of political clout that their father exhibited, but they do manage to mount a challenge to those that are appreciative of the values considered across the globe to be part of the middle ages. What happens from here will determine where Pakistani society ends up. Whether people like President Zardari will be able to resist further erosion of the values of freedom, of speech, press, liberty, or will choose to cling to power by making pacts with the devil(s). But in support whatever is left of Pakistani intellectuals will have to speak up, or go down in history, as another critical group that failed a modernising society created with such hope and full of promise.
First they came for the Communists and I didnt speak up because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.
How many judgements does it take to fix the evil that plagues our people. Why are people judging this young boy with a whole life ahead of him. Why are the calling him a secular atheist. Do you see any such example in the prophet pbuh. You call your self righteous muslims, even that is your misjudgement.
@Ahsan:
Was bored of the usual way of saying things. :)
@Sahira:
Agreed. But dont make a tall claim by implying that Islamist parties cant do wonders for their countries as well. Taking everything in black and white is a snobbish pessimistic attitude of liberals.
@Brute Force : No offense but are you 13 yrs old? Harry Potter analogies?
yet another masterpiece by Feisal Naqi. excellent write up. simply amazing. wow. awesome job. keep it up. .
@Sad Panda:
Thank you, highly appreciate it.
Liked your opinion piece and a lot of what you write. My original comment was very tongue-in-cheek and and was thrown out of the window by the ED.
No news so far about him. No ransom demand, no tall claims by militants. Not good :(
@ Abdul Rehman Gilani
Killings in Karachi is as much condemnable as killings by Taliban. However, killings in Karachi are not religious driven while in case of Taliban, it's the case. Blame the parties, not secularism. Secular parties in power all around the world have done wonders for their respective countries. Besides, in Pakistan, there was always a "mullah military alliance" that holds the power. Right now, it's the democracy mullah alliance". For Pakistanis, nothing has changed.
@Gilani. Here is the article which Mr Raza wrote on Karachi. I can't believe you missed it.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/206032/what-needs-to-be-done-in-karachi/
Never found such a vocal and completely dedicated column of yours in the case of "missing persons" who are in hundreds. If there is any, please let me know, I might have missed it!
PS: Prayers for the safe recovery of Shahbaz Taseer and the aggrieved Taseer family. I hope the abductors are punished severely.
This is how Voldemort came back in Wizarding World. Slowly, people started disappearing, getting killed and the fear started to spread. It slowly reached such high proportions that people accepted that fear and Voldemort was able to return.
But, there they had Harry Potter and Dumbledore to save everyone. Why? Because they understood the evil and knew how bad they were. They knew how to counter it.
Here, in Pakistani World, where stranger and more dangerous things happen there are no Harry Potters or Dumbledores.
The same in happening in Pakistan. People are disappearing, getting killed and the fear is spreading. Voldemort in this case is the Taliban. The Harry Potter in this case is Secularism and tolerance and the negation of the two nation theory. That is very, very unlikely.
@Roflcopter: Secularists and atheists are two different things. Learn the difference, kthanxbye.
@Abdul Rehman Gilani: It's not about the fact that hundreds of people in Karachi have been kidnapped - the whole point of his article is to highlight a) a young person's kidnapping in main Lahore b) link it to Weinstein's abduction and c) act as a medium of prayer/support to the Taseers. What is so wrong about that? Anyone has the right to write an article on whatever they want. Mr. Raza Rumi wants to discuss Shahbaz's kidnapping - let him do so. Why try to tell him to write something else? Sheesh.
He is in trouble but recovery is expected soon.
To everyone complaining about the author not offering condolences to the Karachi victims, please understand the two stories are not related. And the media has covered both stories in great detail. Its not that the news organizations do not care about the Karachi situation, its your bigotry towards Salman Taseer that makes you angry at anyone showing concern towards his son's safety.
Shahbaz's life is not any more important than an average Pakistani, but his abduction, and the treatment of Qadri as a hero, symbolizes the defeat of the tolerant people in Pakistan who value human life more than anything else.
Killer is facing trial and execution is expected, on the other hand a faction is searching the way leading to his safety.
Bargaining,would take some time,may be success or failed but the majority of the people is in favor of punishment as described in the law of the law.
@ Roflcopter:
Are you serious? Talk about hypocrisy. How many specific Pakistanis should we care about? How can we even keep track of everyone who has been kidnapped? Do you even know the names of all the people kidnapped in Balochistan? No, you don't because there are hundreds of kidnappings conducted by the state apparatus there every single day. Shahbaz Taseer, because of his fame, is the face of all of those who have been kidnapped, and by hoping for his safe return, we are hoping for every single kidnapped person's safe return as well!
The fundamentalists' obvious hypocrisy will never end. So much for piety! Regards, Rehan
well at least the liberals lament Someone's Kidnapping everyone else just remains in denial coz ofcourse koi saccha muslaman to aysay kaam ker hi nahi sakta...
oh and @abdul rehman gillani there is no secular party in Pakistan if a party can be bullied by religious fanatics it cant be secular
@Roflcopter
To ease your pain - most of the missing person belongs to Baluchistan and they do not believe in the ideological mumbo jumbo.
Shahbaz Taseers kidnap has exposed the hypocrites.....I mean one secularist/atheist gets kidnapped and his fellow secularist/atheist express outrage and sorrow yet they remain silent on many killings and kidnappings of other Pakistanis.
I really hope that Shahbaz Taseer is recovered soon. The family has been through one tragedy already and I hope they only see good news in the future. I have seen all sorts of hate tweets on twitter blaming the family as if they are responsible. It is sad that people think that this is a charade merely because the family is not being hysterical and making mature comments expressing their confidence in his well being. It is not the Taseer family's fault that people are paying attention to this kidnapping. High profile kidnap victims are always in the news so one shouldn't blame the victim. At the same time I really hope that the authorities find all those who have been kidnapped. I sincerely hope that we hear some good news soon.
Hundreds of people have been kidnapped but 'your-kind' was all silent and now suddenly with Shahbaz's kidnapping 'you-kind' woke up, MASHALLAH!
You are absolutely right Raza; this is no time for pettiness. I join you in your prayer that all human beings unjustly separated from their loved ones be reunited with them.
I sincerely hope that Shahbaz Taseer is united with his family soon. I am amazed how people are using this abduction to score cheap religious points. Taseer family has been in the eye of storm for a long time. Their life style has been called into question, head of the family is gunned down and now the eldest son is missing. Any other family would have left the country but Taseers are not easily intimidated. It was heartening to read the tweets from young Sherbano after her brother was abducted and I hope, all the haters and people who love to bash them, learn something from her. Lets stand with the family because they are standing up against a rising tide of extremism whose thirst for blood and gore knows no end.