Pakistan

No discussion on blood money, says Salmaan Taseer's family

JUP cites Raymond Davis case for pardon for Qadri in exchange for blood money

Web Desk March 11, 2015

PHOTO: EXPRESS

In response to blood money offered by religious parties to the Taseer family, eldest son, Shaan Taseer, said on Tuesday that there will be no negotiations on the matter.

"There shall be no discussion on the topic of blood money with me or any member of my family," Shaan said in a statement.

He further requested any parties to withhold any such offers which would "be taken as an affront to the memory of my father."

Shaan welcomed the offers of a 'healthy debate' on the assumption that talks will focus on the Blasphemy law and not blood money.

The released statement by the family has made its way to social media, with several people Tweeting a copy of the statement.

Response by @ShaanTaseer #BloodMoney #SalmanTaseer
Wish we could witness 0.1% of this maturity all around! #Salute! pic.twitter.com/HYs38cv0LI
— Ali Sher Rahman (@Baahirezaman) March 11, 2015

A couple of days after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) upheld Mumtaz Qadri’s death sentence under Section-302 of the Pakistan Penal Code, religious parties representing the Barelvi school of thought offered blood money to the family of slain Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer to pardon Qadri.

Qadri, a former police bodyguard who shot dead Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer in Islamabad in 2011 admitted him, saying he objected to the politician’s calls to reform Pakistan’s strict blasphemy laws.

Read: Taseer murder case: IHC upholds Mumtaz Qadri's death sentence

The blood money was offered after IHC on Monday rejected Qadri’s appeal against conviction and upheld his death penalty but struck out a terrorism conviction, according to Economic Times.

On Tuesday, leaders of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan (JUP), the Jamaat Ahle Sunnat, the Pakistan Sunni Tehreek and the Pakistan Sunni Alliance offered blood money to his family.

"We are ready to pay much more Khoonbaha (blood money) to the family of Salmaan Taseer (for Qadri's release)," said Shabbir Abu Talib of the JUP.

To support his beliefs, Talib cited the case of Raymond Allen Davis, who was accused of being a CIA contractor and charged with killing two Pakistanis in a busy Lahore street in January 2011. Davis who was released by a Lahore sessions court after paying Rs200 million as ‘blood money’ to the legal heirs of the deceased.

Read: Diplomat or not, Davis departs

According to Islamic jurisprudence, a killer can be pardoned by the legal heirs of the victim with or without taking blood money.

Earlier, the legal heirs of Salmaan Taseer had filed an application before the IHC requesting it to reject Qadri’s murder appeal.

Read: Mumtaz Qadri does not deserve mercy, Taseer’s family appeals to court

Qadri has been hailed as a hero by many conservatives eager to drown out any calls to soften blasphemy legislation. The killing highlighted a growing gulf between conservatives and more liberal elements in society.

At his original trial, Qadri was showered with rose petals by some lawyers. His current appeal team features two judges, including the former chief justice of Lahore High Court.

The judge who convicted Qadri was forced to flee the country after death threats.

COMMENTS (11)

Bewildered | 9 years ago | Reply Salute to Governor Taseer's bravest among the brave family for showing heroic courage and standing up against the most ruthless amongst the cruel even the Governments avoid intimidating. By not giving in to these monsters they are hugely risking not their own safety, but also the life of their one family member, Governor Taseer's son, kidnapped months ago and held captive as a bargaining chip by these self-proclaimed pious religious animals. The real irony, rather more of an epiphany, is that an ex-Chief Justice and a Justice of the High court of the same province Taseer was the governor are proudly in their service to defend.

Fazal Dad | 9 years ago | Reply Qasas or money for blood is an Arabic Bedouin tradition and has nothing to do with Islam. Since the advent of Islam lies entangled with Bedouin tribal society, we consider it Islamic. Anyway, Qadri has committed a murder and murder deserves death under Pakistan Penal Codes. No mercy at all. The religious parties can take their money and distribute among less fortunate or spend on their members on getting the facial hairs removed. A murder is a murderer and must face the consequences.

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MJ | 9 years ago | Reply Qadri is a coward who killed his master. The one he took an oath on our holy book to protect with his own life. Is that the kind of model that our so called religious parties aspire to? A liar, a cheat, a coward & a killer?

Khan | 9 years ago | Reply Qadri should be hanged publicly in Khosar!

Salman | 9 years ago | Reply I support the Taseer family's request for holding an open debate on the Blasphemy Law.

Sandip | 9 years ago | Reply One is amazed at the audacity of these supporters of murderers. One would like to know their reaction if someone offered them blood money after killing their dear ones.

Parvez | 9 years ago | Reply May God provide the Taseer family with justice........because it seems the State is frightened to do so.

Farhan | 9 years ago | Reply Brave son of brave Salman Taseer... Qadri must be hanged publicly to set an example for the rest. No question about it.

Zubair | 9 years ago | Reply A cler case of where the terror lies...And thats why I am agaisnt religious political parties...We need to slap a ban on them....JUI (F), JUI(S), JI, Sunii Tehreek and the list never ends.

Ashraf | 9 years ago | Reply What a nation !!

Junaid | 9 years ago | Reply This is an open and shut case. The accused should to be hanged in accordance with the original (and upheld) judgement. Instead, the judiciary is proving to everyone why we desperately needed military courts.

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