Pakistan

Salmaan Taseer assassinated

The attacker was in Rawalpindi's elite force and part of the Governor's convoy. Suspect under arrest.

Express January 04, 2011

ISLAMABAD: Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer was attacked and killed in a firing incident in Islamabad's Kohsar market on Tuesday.

The late governor was shot in Kohsar Market by one of his security guards, an elite force personnel, who has been identified as Malik Mumtaz Hussain.

A spokesperson of the Polyclinic Hospital confirmed that the governor had been hit by 25 bullets, while witnesses at the site said that he had died on the spot.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik revealed that the arrested man had admitted to the murder and ruled out inadequate security as a possible cause of the attack.

The federal government has announced a three day mourning period.

The funeral will be held at the Governor’s House tomorrow (Wednesday).

End of live updates

8:30pm

Government of Punjab announces public holiday tomorrow (Wednesday).

PPP leader Raja Riaz will be making arrangements for the funeral to be held at Governor's House.

7:25pm

Protests are being taken out in different parts of Punjab.

A three member panel has been formed to perform Taseer's autopsy.

Registrar Lahore High Court has announced that all courts in Punjab will remain closed tomorrow.

6:55pm

President Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned the assassination of Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer today and directed the Interior Minister Rehman Malik to personally supervise the investigations and report to him urgently.

Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said that President was informed about the tragic assassination during a meeting of the PPP MPAs of four districts in the Bilawal House after which all the meetings scheduled for today were postponed to a later date.

The President also directed the Party leadership that the birthday functions in connection with Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s 83rd birth anniversary on Wednesday be limited only to holding of seminars at district, divisional and provincial levels without fanfare and without cake cutting ceremonies. Quran Khwani for Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Salmaan Taseer will also be held on Wednesday as part of the birth anniversary functions of Party’s founding Chairman, he said.

The President also asked the Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and MNA Faryal Talpur to participate in the funeral on his behalf. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will also participate in the funeral.

6:10pm

Interior Minister Rehman Malik says the first point of investigation will be to find out whether the suspect Qadri carried out the attack as part of a larger plot or on his own.

Malik confirmed the suspect, Qadri is twenty six-years-old.

In life, Salmaan Taseer was never afraid of controversy and was never one to remain silent even when his stance on issues like militancy and the blasphemy law brought the venom of the right wing pouring on to him. Zarrar Khuhro

5:55pm

Government announced three day country-wide mourning period.

Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz sharif has arrived at the hospital.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik says investigation has been ordered into how the assassin Qadri was selected for the security of the governor.

5:40pm

Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that all personnel of the governor's security convoy have been arrested.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has announced a two week mourning period. All functions of the party have been postponed.

5:30pm

All VIP functions are under threat says Interior Minister Rehman Malik, adding that, "our colleagues criticise us when we increase vip security".

Governor Taseer was killed to destabilise Pakistan say MQM Chief Altaf Hussain.

One of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer's last tweets online:

Mera azm itna bulund hae Parae sholon se dar nahin. Mujhe dar hae tu atish e gul se hae Ye kahin chaman ko jala na dein

5:25pm

According to Syed Ali reporting for Express 24/7, the arrival of a huge crowd of people to Polyclinic is causing chaos at the hospital and preventing Governor Punjab's body from being moved to PIMS for a post-mortem.

5:15pm

The name of the guard who carried out the attack has been confirmed as Mumtaz Qadri.

Saba Imtiaz: According to Rehman Malik, Salmaan Taseer's guard shot him because he called the blasphemy laws a 'kala qanoon'.

5:10pm

Interior Minister Rehman Malik will head the enquiry into Governor Punjab's assassination.

Karachi has been put on high alert after the attack.

5:06pm

Syed Ali reporting for Express 24/7 confirmed that Governor Punjab has been pronounced dead. Initial reports suggest Taseer received a critical injury in his neck.

5:03pm

The Governor of Punjab was leaving his residence in Islamabad when one of his guards shot him in the chest.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani have condoled over the death of the Punjab Governor.

An eyewitness, while speaking to the police, has provided his account of how the gunman aimed at Taseer and shot him.

5:00pm

The alleged suspect 'Qadri' was allegedly part of Rawalpindi's elite force, Express 24/7 reported.

The suspect is being held and interrogated by Rawalpindi police.

4:50pm

The hospital says the Governor received nine bullets.

4:48pm

Attackers were part of the governor's convoy, witnesses say.

4:46pm

Police source say they have arrested a suspect in the attack.

Zulfiqar Mirza, Sindh Home Minister Qaim Ali Shah, as well as Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) Shahbaz Sharif and Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack.

4:30pm

The governor died on the spot, according to governor house spokesman Farrukh Shah.

According to initial reports, unidentified persons fired upon the governor's convoy and he was shifted to the Polyclinic hospital for treatment.

Witnesses said that two uniformed personnel attacked him.

COMMENTS (214)

Khalid Butt | 13 years ago | Reply Miss Neha, your pracise on religion is your personal metter. Mr jinah was not Prophit if he was secular then he must lier because he gathered Muslims in the name of Islam. Ahmadi declared non Muslim in bhutto 's govt not before. we respect jinah 's soul but not preffer than Prophit (PBUH) 's soul. do u think about ? ? ? ?

Neha Khan | 13 years ago | Reply @ Salman... Jinnah was definitely secular. And for ignorants let me clarify that being secular does not mean being an atheist or a non-Muslim. I for one pray five times a day, give zakat, have done Hajj, fast during Ramazan and at times otherwise too, but consider myself secular. Secular means someone who respects all religions and does not discriminate on the basis of religion. If you need examples for Jinnah being an enlightened secular man just think that his first Law minister was a Hindu and the first person he nominated to represent Pakistan in the UN was an Ahmedi. For heaven's sake, stop torturing the soul of the Quaid-i-Azam. He have aggrieved him enough already and it is time we say sorry to him and mend our ways by making Pakistan what he wanted it to be... not the one envisioned by the Mullah and people like Mumtaz Qadri.

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G.Din | 13 years ago | Reply What hope is there for Pakistan where lawyers throw rose petals on a broad day light murderer?

salim | 13 years ago | Reply It is amazing that no one commented on the head money placed on late Salman Taseer by head of a religeous party for 2 crores. This is the second time this has happened and there is deathly silence from politicians and particularly media. Even the Govt ignored this. Is instigation to murder lawful???? Could this have been the motive for the murder???

Abhishek | 13 years ago | Reply one step closer to zia's pakistan

KZ | 13 years ago | Reply Ina Lillahi wa inna elahi rajioon. Very Sad I have no words about this action some irresponsible mulla who are basically illiterate persons guided by their illiterate mullah do actions like this. I feel sorry for governor and his family. may his soul rest in peace. I feel sorry to call myself a Pakistani. a country where every voice which is against mullah brigade is eliminated. A country where no one knows the meaning of tolerance. A country ruled by Islamic ways but there are no rules and driving nation very far from Islamic values. Media like JEO promote abhorrence and divide nation in two. I feel sorry to call my self PAKISTANI.

Salman | 13 years ago | Reply @theIndian correction plz.....Jinnah was not secular

Salman | 13 years ago | Reply Every day 50 people get killed in karachi ......... people are fine Every day on average 15 people get killed in drone attacks...... people are fine Now everyone is trying to prove that society has become brutal on this murder ..... Boy O Boy! one can certainly see where the money is coming from to mourn for taseer .....

mir | 13 years ago | Reply http://www.express.com.pk/epaper/PoPupwindow.aspx?newsID=1101138139&Issue=NPLHE&Date=20110106 http://www.express.com.pk/epaper/PoPupwindow.aspx?newsID=1101137932&Issue=NPLHE&Date=20110106 Mera azm itna bulund hae Parae sholon se dar nahin. Mujhe dar hae tu atish e gul se hae Ye kahin chaman ko jala na dein significant?

Musalman | 13 years ago | Reply make a habit of reciting Quran and Durood e Pak (atleast atleast after each prayer) ... you will soon come to know what the reality is.... May ALLAH show mercy on us and guide us... Ameen

Beena Aslam | 13 years ago | Reply Assalamoalikum! i will say that the Qadri's way was not appropriate way but will anyone now answer me that when law doesn't hold such importance even that it was been neglected and protested again and again then how do we expect the people who wait for the law to deal with such case when get no single attempt of it's application must stop themselves... blasphemy law is for every religion and every nation its not about he or she or xyz if anyone abuse Hazrat Issa a.s or even any other prophet then why i do not condemn this thing as being a Muslim and the law which taseer had abused isn't a black law something like that because because it's our code of conduct and identity... our religious identity and i personally don't want to loose it at any cost... it's time to follow laws to prevent such acts in the future..

uzma | 13 years ago | Reply Have you people ever feel same pain for all those who are being murdered in Bomb Blost.. Whatever Happen in Tribal Areas and In American Attacks... IF The Murdered Person is Governer or Primeminister or any other VIP person, then all Nation feel that they have lost some So Called Heros (which are for me So Called Corrupt Heros').... My Dears' What about Innocent People... I feel Sorry For Him and his Family, But i also feel the pain of all other poor people, who had lost their lives in either dron attacks and other blasts.... Try to Be neutral, We should raise our voice against all such incidence, not only if any Governer become a victom....

AnIndian | 13 years ago | Reply I understand him as a person who stood for Secularism, Free Speech, fighting Intolerance. He would be the kind of leader Jinnah would have wanted Pakistan to be lead by. I respect that aspect of him. The human community of World does...

cidpusa | 13 years ago | Reply This may be part of some elite police officer involvement

Raheel | 13 years ago | Reply @Tuna, how liberal or "NON-ISLAMIC" he was is not a matter for you or me to Judge...i think you are not aware about the level of liberlization being practiced merly 40 KM away from Holy City of Mecca....

Dibya Prakash | 13 years ago | Reply If mullahs are not fought out by educated, civilised and democratic people of all shades of opinion, the fate of Taseer will recur again and again. Now they have killed Taseer because he raised his voice against the blesphemy law, as any civilised and decent person would and should always do everywhere, tomorrow these mullahs would jump on those who are standing on the sidline, considering that they will be spared, are living in the fools paradise. These mullahs have stood in the past against all democratic movements and those who thought the mullahs were serving the nation are now being targetted and eliminated. This will continue unless the pakistani friends fail to recognise that the mullahs are a rent seeking lots and unless they receive the hadia for the services they are rendering they will never do it. So please also try to identify who are paying them the hadia for the job. The mullahs and the cabal can not get away for eternity.

tuna | 13 years ago | Reply i want a islamic rule in our country all the people who support the west and their faiths can never be succesful in an islamic country.if u guys want to see how liberal was mr.taseer just see his and his family videos on vidpk.com

momin | 13 years ago | Reply after reading all the comments i lament that how much they know of islam who have spoken of the fundamentalism and the extremism. purely western media originated terms. May Allah guide us to be true muslims.

emad | 13 years ago | Reply The level of tolerance is that We tolerate news of drone attacks and killings of 20 people daily.. we listen and say o yes may they rest in peace... IS THIS THE LEVEL OF TOLERANCE ?? When One person from government gets killed everybody is on there toes... why such notification ?? Arent we biased... When an innocent gets killed we say it was his destiny... When a politicain gets into the details and points a finger on Islam and extremism and tolerance... Come on... !!! Why our goverment dont condem the daily drone attacks ??? WHy our people dont condem the drone attacks and killing of innocents' ??? According to our current tolerance state..!! just be relaxed guys it was his destiny... come on we are pro american.... Chill..because this is what our tolerance says...!!

Atts | 13 years ago | Reply Dear God, this is your creation who condone the very act that you condemn..... if this was ur intention and if we cant control our instincts, then what is there to distinguish us from animals.....and then they state islam is a religion of peace & tolerance. Very conveniently, the forget that the Prophet visited the house of the lady to enquire about her health even though she threw rubbish on him daily. If the person cant speak his own mind, then its not a democracy. I say pardon Aasia, it would serve as a example to the killer, u may silence her best advocate, but u cant subdue his cause.

Salman Taseer G.A | 13 years ago | Reply May Salmaan Taseer's Soul rest in Peace! Allah Hafiz.

Neha Khan | 13 years ago | Reply To hell with Mullahs and all those sympathising with them. One of their representatives was on TV just now saying they will fight the murderer's case. Where are we heading???

Raheel | 13 years ago | Reply This is Pakistan, and Pakistan’s corrupted, rent-seeking, inefficient and pampered middle class which is socially conservative and fragmented, contradictory in nature and in its working, with both highly traditional religious and conservative section, belonging to this social category, as well as indigenous and modern group. S.Akbar Zaidi... . i read this statement last morning..and was pondering on validity of this argument ??...by night i had enough evidence to convince myself that this Pakistani social scientist have been correct in his observation !!!

adil | 13 years ago | Reply Taseer (May Allah have Mercy on His Soul) murder is a sad day for all Pakistani's but it is sad for us everyday as we lose innocent lives due to sucide bombers drone attacks political rivalry corruption inflation and so much more thanks to PM Gilani and President Zardari. Taseer was a dillusioned man who was not qualified to be a governor or leader. He was about himself and his twisted info. His tweets are baseless and anyone who believes in facts can challenge what he posted on his tweets. He was neither a good leader nor a lion. He was a man that lived in Pakistan gained sucess at the expense of the average citizen and tax payer and was mudered brutally by a phycho path. His death is no diffrent than the other Pakistnis that are killed daily and their death goes unnoticed. Wake up Pakistan! This admin neither cares for the working and poor class nor wants stability for our nation. Mourn the death of justice democracy and tolerance. Morn the death of a stable goverment and life. Morn the death of every Pakistani whose lives has been taken from them.

Yousaf | 13 years ago | Reply Another Black Day in the History of Pakistan.... what kind of Pakistan we are developing for our future Generations... !!

sikandar | 13 years ago | Reply Sorry Pakis here comes the Mullah brigade and Please be prepared to go back into the stone age. probably oblivion.

Raj | 13 years ago | Reply There is a Punjabi song..."Jis Lahore Nahin Taqeya Oh Jameya Hi Nahin.." Is this blasphemous ? Prophet Mohammad ( PBUH) never visited Lahore.

Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply “This young man left us, the educated men behind [in status].” Allama Iqbal

Fahad Javaid | 13 years ago | Reply Another great loss to Pakistan, we ought to understand that he was the one who showed some resistance against the blasphemy policies. What was his mistake that he showed resistance to those clerics and orthodox parties – who under the name of blasphemy wanted to suppress the minorities. This incident clearly depicts the true picture of our society; they have become barbaric, inhumane and brutal. We should not lament about his death but we have to admit the fact that one more educated person left us – whose courage transcend all the boundaries. It is a message to all those who believe in justice, law and humanity, that the cancer of extremism and intolerance is one that is on the verge of devouring us. It is a call for us to remain silent and supine in the face of terror, to bow our heads before the edifice of fanaticism or else have our heads struck off.

Tahir Jamil | 13 years ago | Reply Assassination of Governor Salman Taseer is victory of fundamentalists, which are present in huge numbers. I always indicated presence of large numbers of influential extremists and fundamentalists in Lahore, Punjab and other parts of Pakistan. Pakistan is proved to be the most dangerous country to live especially for common people. I just get up by pain ray at the time of early hours morning prayer. Community stalkers in Tajpura are spreading rumors.

Far | 13 years ago | Reply To hell with Mullah brigade. The have not only given Islam a bad name but ruined our country's peace as well. And now every Tom, Dick and Harry is a Mullah in Pakistan, a country totally consumed by religious extremists (read Mullahs).

ayaz | 13 years ago | Reply all we need to take streets and protest against blasphemy law and unjustified murder just like the mullah's and extremist did in last december...enough is enough now..lets bang these beard mullahs who has no morality for any human beings..

Mansoor Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply Taseer was the only person who had courage to visit Ahmadiyya Mosques after attacks by terrorists back in May 2010. After that attack, he called blasphemy law a "black law". He was one of the moderate forces which can counter the fundamentalists. Other politicians, like Muslim League has soft corner for these Mullahs and will never be able to change this "black law" against humanity. A two-week period of mourning has been declared by President Gilani. Pakistan should use that time to decide whether they’re ready to fight the Islamist movement responsible for the murder, or just sit back and wait for the next period of mourning.

Mawali | 13 years ago | Reply Check out the smirk on the assassins face. It is foretelling! You can neither run nor hide the assassins live among you! It could be anyone your gardner, domestic help, sentry, a man off and on the street, grocery clerk, even the mailman. Watch out the grim reaper cometh!

John Doe | 13 years ago | Reply It is really encouraging to see so many Pakistanis feeling sad about this - there are millions of other radical muslims across the world - even in Europe and USA - who are celebrating this brave man's death. But all of you need to realize that going back to Allah is not going to help. You guys need a reality check. Visit www.faithfreedom.org - give just one listen to what the admin over there is saying and then believe what you like.

emad | 13 years ago | Reply Im amazed how people are diplomatic.. before his death everyboday was against his views.. now everyone posing him as good man... whats the reality atleast i dnt know.. God Knows better... But i mourn his death if he was right person

Farah Khan | 13 years ago | Reply This is another sad day for Pakistan and its people.

Mohammed+Abbasi | 13 years ago | Reply Mullahs the curse of Islam, when will Pakistanis take on these fiends dressed up in Muslim garb

fazimi | 13 years ago | Reply Mar gaya mardood na faatiha na durood.....everyone seems so sad...but why they don't raise their voices when innocent killed by american drone attacks....why they don't find any mulla in those killings...this is the expression of frustration prevailing in our society when ppl see elites are looting them with two hands...they see they're working like slaves for them..for these elites deaths of 100 on the street is not worrisome enough to cancel their dinner party...so eventually frustration comes out...sometimes it comes out with religious reasons sometime social....i think (right or wrong) this is the only way we may get rid of our corrupt elite.

Anoop | 13 years ago | Reply OMG! So sad. I wonder if Asif Zardari and the likes should ask for the CIA to send guards to protect him.

Sandra Gordon | 13 years ago | Reply And you guys call Islam peaceful??? Humanity cannot be fooled for too long.’Islam’ means peace..they keep telling us. well the only peace they offer is the silence after all opposing voices of truth have been massacared.

Qaisrani | 13 years ago | Reply Another light has been made to go off. Surely, the DARKNESS shall increase in Pakistan. The Mullas instigated his assassination. Jamaat-i-Islami was on the forefront against him, openly instigating the people; the very party which was against the creation of Pakistan in the very first place and then instrumental in its dismemberment through its al-Badar* & *al-Shamas killer brigades in Bengal. No less bad luck for Pakistan that this very group now claims to be CHIEF CUSTODIAN of the "IDEOLOGY" of this unfortunate country, which is already drenched in the blood of innocents. It is also sad on the part of Punjab Govt that they failed to observe the killer and placed him on the security of late Salman Taseer. The killer looks apparently a bigoted & extremist person and nobody screened him out.

Noor Lodi | 13 years ago | Reply We HAVE TO stand to these Mullah's. it is us or them. There is nothing in between. Good news is that majority of people are tolerant and are on the sane side. Bad news is that this majority is not willing to stand-up upto these Mullah's. We have to take them on and sanity has to prevail. Abolish this law. It is anti human and anti Islamic.

Muhammed Ali | 13 years ago | Reply Let's stand against mullahs it's time to show unity Ppl!! "abandon the blasphemy law"

Mohammad Jawed Iqbal | 13 years ago | Reply We are suffering from TTP who killed thousand of Innocent People and Children then USA Drone Attacks and lots more in the name of War and Terror after 2001 to now we lost lots of Innocent People of Pakistan Including our Great Leader Banazeer Bhutto and Dr Affia Siddiqi case is still pending no body is not saying and thinking about that all issues and our leaders don’t know how to respect and how to handle our Pakistani People Because we are in Islami Jhamoriya Pakistan and 1st we are Muslims so we have to do lots more for our people and our Religion Islam and if our leader will not serious about that issues then that kind of Incident will come in front of us we have to save our people and we have to do for our people and we have to respect Islamic Laws.

Dr. Asad Sadick, Germany | 13 years ago | Reply What type of security was Salman Taseer given? As the killer picked up his gun not one police guard shot the killer. What type of training does this elite force given...no prescence of mind or reactions. What a shame.

Hassan Bokhari | 13 years ago | Reply We lost a great man to jahil and extremist people.

sani | 13 years ago | Reply This is message to all those politicians who spend our tax money to safeguard themselves and leave the nation at the discretion of terrorist (a terrororist is terrorist not taliban or mullah). Save the nation so that nation can save you.

jahangir khan | 13 years ago | Reply THE IRONY FEW MIGHT KNOW ...Salman Taseer's father M.D. Taseer (Muhammad Din Taseer, a well known intellectual in the good old days when pakistan could boast of many progressive and enlightened souls like him) was the man who organised all the funeral and burial arrangements of Ghazi Alam Din when the later's body was to be buried. the father Taseer might have never dreamt that his own beloved son would be assassinated one day by someone inspired by the precedence of no one else but ghazi alam din.

Ali Haider | 13 years ago | Reply Killing someone for what he believes in, right or wrong, can never be justified. Not many people agreed to the stance of the Late Governor but that is not and can not be a justification to kill him. The guard should be asked if he thinks he broke any sharia law by breaking the trust of the country and killing the person he took oath to protect. We as a people have gone mad and the mullahs enjoy sole authority on the matters of religion which they are free to interpret as they wish. This situation is only going to take us down. We do not need any enemies from the outside!!!

salarzai | 13 years ago | Reply many of the comments suggest that these attacks were carried out by mullahs ...be very very clear bout ur def of a mullah.it does not mean each n every one with beard is a mullah.there might be foreign hands in this case....may Allah bless his soul

Pakistani | 13 years ago | Reply Our Media and Mullahs are responsible for his murder. Those Islam kay thaikaidaar should not be calling Islam, religion of peace and Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) rahmaat-ul-alameeen as their criminal action makes these slogans a laughing stock in the sane world out here. It is a shameful day for Pakistan when once again a person is gunned down for his beliefs. My question to all is WHAT WOULD PROPHET MOHAMMAD (PBUH) DO if someone is blasphemous?? dint we all read the story of the old lady who used to throw litter on him?

Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply "This young man left us, the educated men behind [in status]." - Allama Iqbal

nadirrehman | 13 years ago | Reply He, though criticized severely by PML(N) and other religious parties, for his liberal policies but he remained firm to his stand, He was really a man of honor and dignity. May Allah the Almighty bestow the soul of the deceased with eternal peace.

sara | 13 years ago | Reply its sad that he got killed and died but i dont think the majority of the country will actually be mourning his death mainly because people who dont have food to eat, dont have a roof over their heads, and dont have any way of getting out of poverty could care less about some liberal business man who NEVER did anything for them although he had 'very enlightened' opinions about everything! He could of been made a difference by doing something for the poor of the country, he had plenty of chances but he was too busy badmouthing his political opponents and voicing 'enlightened' opinions which the majority could care less about!!!!

Syed | 13 years ago | Reply @ Noor I agree, to hell with Mullahs!

The Only Normal Person Here. | 13 years ago | Reply This shows that that extremism has penetrated everywhere. We shouldnt be surprised by this. Back in Musharraf era, when operation in Swat and Waziristan was going on, our Army (I still lub you) used to get themselves kidnapped and after ransom would be paid, they would come out all fine. That's why back in 2009, Kiyani called the troops from Indian border and sent the ones in swat and Waziriztan to India. And we cleared that region within months. Zia recruited army and security enforcement should be watched over very carefully and suspended if suspected. Also combing out of illegal residents and raids on the spots which cause to generate money for talibans ( drugs area, illegal arms) is needed big time. suspected groups and persons would be arrested too.

ghania salma | 13 years ago | Reply i am shocked at the brutal assassination of punjab governor,salman taseer.may his soul rest in peace.my condolences 2 his family.he is a true martyr.what a brave soul he was. i salute his courage,determination and reselience in the face of extremist elements.he was the most courageous voice on women rights and minorities. another sad day for pakistan.PITY THE NATION......

Klues | 13 years ago | Reply First Holbrooke, now Taseer, what will happen to Pakistan now.

Majid Maqsood | 13 years ago | Reply It so tragic so see such bashful murder and it paves way for drone attacks and demand for do more! It seems start of end and its repercussion would lead more intolerance and impatience in the country!

ALi Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply Sadly Express Tribune reported immediately without confirmation "Terrorists killed Salman Taseer" and repeatedly claimed on TV that he was killed by terrorists in a terrorist attack. This show how irresponsible our media is and quick to take first position in giving a news and that too without confirmation. But in reality it is known known that there was one man who fired at him and he wasn't a terrorist but his own gunman. Same does our media when there is any blast, they immediately start calling it suicide attack.

Aftab Kenneth Wilson | 13 years ago | Reply No suitable words to condemn this barbaric act of murder. He did it according to the law 295 ABC. This is also a signal for other high profile persons who want this law to be amended and certainly not removed. My heartfelt condolence with the family, friends, peace loving citizens, PPP leadership and workers. I hope investigation will be done on proper lines and perpetrators brought to justest as soon as humanly possible.

Saqlain Sikander | 13 years ago | Reply Really sad....! It takes me by surprise that people are cursing Mullahs for this assassination. Why? His own security guard killed him, not a mullah. I'm really saddened by the incident but think for a moment the late Mr. Taseer was such a controversial personality. He said and did such things publicly which a Muslim should be ashamed of but we see he was so courageous (i say rude and ignorant) that he never felt shame for doing and saying things which ultimately resulted in his sudden and brutal demise. And the people who feel sorry for being Pakistani-------you guys should be sorry for yourselves rather!

Saim | 13 years ago | Reply i have read the comments and i think pakistan is going to be a secular state very soon .. people are getting secular (thanks to western propaganda).i am very sorry for todays incident but it happens when justice does not provided in time . if aasia bibi was punished accordiing to the verdict by the court and Taseer did not backed him todays incident could be avoided. I dont think Mllahs are behind this . This is the matter of Justice or injustice. .if this is a muslim state than islamic laws should be implemented if not than we should announce it openly .. .

Hasnat Chohan | 13 years ago | Reply May his sould rest in peace! He stood up for a worthy cause. What a shame for all muslims that incident like this one are perperated by so called lovers of Prophet Mohammad. Shame shame shame for all Pakistanis including myself.

Nauman Alvie | 13 years ago | Reply May his soul rest in peace..He was right...The Blasphemy Law is a Kaala Kanoon indeed..and yet another inncent person has been murdered because of it and this will continue to happen until the entire nation rises against it..Why is the Chief Justice of Pakistan so silent about this...what happened to his"'principles" and justice...Shame on you the entire judiciary of Pakistan,the mullahs, politicians and all the others who supported it and anyone who did not raise your voice against this barbaric law!!you have blood on your hands...ALL IS TAKES FOR EVIL TO TRIUMPH IS THAT FOR GOOD MEN NOT TO DO ANYTHING..Shame on all of us and shame on Pakistan for today evil has triumphed,it lurks unchallanged in the streets, in every street corner..A MURDER MOST FOUL has been committed..SHAME!SHAME!SHAME ON ALL OF US......

Raja Arsalan Khan | 13 years ago | Reply @ Kamran It is the custodians of Islam who bring Islam in every issue. The mature attitude demands strict and final action against the mullahs. Maturity doesn't means just listen to mullahs' sermons adn kill others.

Raja Arsalan Khan | 13 years ago | Reply All the mullahs, anchors, columnists and media houses who created fuss over the blasphemy laws' repeal issue are responsible for this gruesome act. The "paid intellectuals" who cite India, Israel and the US for every evil (there are millions) in the country have made Pakistan a hell. No one can express his views that are not in line with the parameters set by the establishment. By the way what the remaining guys were doing when the fanatic was spraying bullets at Taseer? It cannot be an individual act but you will read tomorrow in some "Islamised newspapers" that the killer was just following his "conscious".

salim | 13 years ago | Reply Punjab Govt must be held accountable for security lapses! A brave man! May he rest in peace. Ameen

Disco Molvi | 13 years ago | Reply For those who are saying this not a religious motivated murder, I would like to share an sms that's being circulated: **

nahen krna tauheen mera rasool (s.a.w) ki Aj aik Qadriutha he tau mulk hilgya Plz support mumtaz qadri

** Seriously now what more do you people want as proof???

Hamid Zahoor | 13 years ago | Reply We Should do an unmanned airplane missile strike on all these Extremist who have ruined Pakistan!!!

Syed | 13 years ago | Reply Innallahowainnaalayarrajiyun. He is the only PPP member whom I agree to call a Shaheed (Martyr).

Jawad Rehman | 13 years ago | Reply Emmon Khan: The army and generals are already under attack, and the list is long: A serving Lieutenant General, a retired Lieutenant General, two serving Brigadiers, the only son of the commander of the operation in Tribal Areas, and countless soldiers and officers have been assassinated by the extremists. Add to that the attacks on GHG, ISI, Commando forces, CID, Police etc. I fail to understand why the military still tries to separate the good from the bad in their sworn enemies who have pretty much bled the country to death. Forget about strategic depth, at this point we should worry about tactical hollowness from inside. At this rate, soon enough there will be no country left to defend. Mr. Kayani: Please eliminate TTP, SSP, LeJ, JeM, Jundullah, all Taliban, all Alqaeda, and all militant organizations from ALL parts of Pakistan, including North Waziristan - NOW !!!!

Shahid | 13 years ago | Reply RIP Governor Taseer. You are a brave and truthful man. The black Blasphemy law will go because of you. You are symbol of justice for oppressed and helpless!

Hamood | 13 years ago | Reply Religious brigade struck again.

Sonia | 13 years ago | Reply Sick Mullahs and their rotten beliefs. @NOOR (Keept it up)

nooralam | 13 years ago | Reply i am and family very very shad govr Sullaman Tashir killd in ISLAMABAD VERY SAD

usman Arshad | 13 years ago | Reply R.I.P SALMAN TASEER

rubab shereen | 13 years ago | Reply the incident itself is a live and the most inhumane example of misuse of blasphmeny laws. wat can be more inhumane and sad than the fact the a person advocating to stop misuse of blasphemy law was gunned down in the broad day light by his own guard. not to mention that the guard was a member of the 'elite' force, a force used to give protection to the country's elite. the panetration of extremeist elements in security forces was a mere doubt but the sad incident made this notion barred exposed that security forces of the country itself is a group of uniformed extremists that the state is funding. the country has became a taliban state and the incident points towards security of minioritites and a worst form of assualt on the freedom of expression. lets flee this country and leave it to the mullahs, there is no place for a liberal, educated and neutral person in this country. i am damn sure father of the nation, if had lived today he would have for sure met the same fate as that of salman taseer for advocating equal rights for minoritiets.

Sara | 13 years ago | Reply Very sad i strongly condemn his murder, picture of pakistan become more dark in international community. These MULLA's will sink pakistan's SHIP. May Allah give them sense.

Sonia | 13 years ago | Reply This death is a true picture of religious fanaticism. Its a warning to all of us who will speak against draconian laws and will ever try to get rid of rotten thinking.

XaRa | 13 years ago | Reply A tragic incident...God bless his soul!

Jawad Rehman | 13 years ago | Reply Killed for a difference of opinion. We are fast declining into a barbaric, intolerant, and brutal society. And I was further saddened by reactions of luminary journalists like IS and AA - almost justifying the killing by saying he had no business speaking up in the blasphemy case, and AA was at his Talibanesque best when he said that the West will use this incident to defame Pakistan, and why does the world not ask USA about their atrocities. The luminary host of the program, HM, fully concurred with AA. I am 100% sure this intolerance and extremism in the country is a direct by-product of irresponsible journalism, especially electronic media.

sanjithmenon | 13 years ago | Reply Sherry better scoot, before it is too late.

Abbas | 13 years ago | Reply It is really sad, may Allah bless him, and rest his sooul in piece.

Expert | 13 years ago | Reply We might be chanting "Giay Bhutto" but its ZIA UL HAQ whos still alive and continues to haunt us !

Hafjk | 13 years ago | Reply Insanity supportrd by mullas

Shahzaib Khan | 13 years ago | Reply 100 sunar ke 1 Lohar ke.

Hanya | 13 years ago | Reply Deepest condolences to the Taseer family - we didnt always agree with him but Salman Taseer was a man of courage who stood up for what he truly believed in.

Abdul Rauf khan | 13 years ago | Reply Sad day on Pakistan may Allah bless on him Amen.

Raza | 13 years ago | Reply "Murder of a single human is the murder of the entire Humanity". May God rest his soul. Amen

Sqn Ldr S.Ausaf Husain ( Retd) | 13 years ago | Reply The commander of guards force escorting the convoy of Salman Taseer should be interrogated also as it was his responsibility to ensure that all guards protecting Salman Taseer are security-wise cleared and their loyalty is not doubtful. It is always necessary to keep a close observation on the guards, personal staff, office staff and domestic servants of the V V IPs for their political thinking, religious thinking and suspicious behaviour and by detailed face reading. Such person associated with the V V IPs should also be examined by a Psychiatrist as well Psychologist. regularly to determined their mental state.

Fareedi | 13 years ago | Reply Tragic and sad....

nina | 13 years ago | Reply By the way, I hope they caught the fellow who actually did the murder, not some innocent to use as a scapegoat. Our police are well known to never actually catch the guilty.

nina | 13 years ago | Reply Remember Indira Ghandi was assasinated by her Sikh bodyguard...

Qasim | 13 years ago | Reply I think this attempt to assassinate a Governor it sounds like to kill political infrastructure cause it eradicates all over the hidden contents securities enforcement agencies that what we have left in our country and how would we able to demonstrate our people ??? IT is paucity of Education . thinking Ideology or religious Love and Sympathy to Muslims ??? What to say but it's horrible and a dreadful incident that ppp will never gotta forget it.

Asiha Jakarhani | 13 years ago | Reply Apart from his liberal views, which can be differ from many of us, he was the person whom Pakistan need. Pakistan does not need illiterate Mullahs who do not know exact teaching of Prophet Muhammad. We should eradicate those extremist elements from our society once and for all. The longer they will linger in our midst the more people will lose their lives. I hope that Army or government do a big operation against those so called Jihaddi, who are killing other Muslims in the name of religion. Shame on us, we cannot fix our back-yard. Is America or India behind this killing? Wake up dear Pakistan, please wake up.

Umayr Masud | 13 years ago | Reply Newsweek Pakistan reports "According to preliminary reports, the guard was a last-minute replacement ordered by Punjab's former inspector general of police before his retirement from service two days ago. " http://www.newsweekpakistan.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=131&Itemid=53

Mahjabeen | 13 years ago | Reply I feel very sad for his family and at the same time for my country as we cannot bear any such incidences any more,especially considering the already rising soccioeconomic and political uproar in the country.The growing intolerence and killing human beings in the name of religion is another plague our society is suffering from.May Allah cures us from this.God Bless My Country as i love her morethan anything in this world!

D. Asghar | 13 years ago | Reply Indeed a sad day. May his soul rest in peace. Ameen.

Zechariah Hascher | 13 years ago | Reply It's just sad to know how the people react in anger. Religion is meant to learn and build and not otherwise. We have made our education system that indoctrinates and doesn't educate. If we keep breeding people like qadri, then we may have a passport for destruction!

Zaheer Ahmad | 13 years ago | Reply Shaheed Salman Taseer a great man was a big asset of Pakistan. His courage and bold stance on blasmphy law is commendable. Today Pakistan is a legacy of dictator Zia Ul Haq, Jamat Islami and Saudi fanaticism. This is not the Pakistan of Quaid Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah.

Jawad Rafiq | 13 years ago | Reply Yahan mjhy Baba IQBAL ki aik bat zehn me aatii ha jo k unho ne Ghazi Ilm-din Shaheed k bary me khi thi k "Assi galan krdy reh gaye terkhana da munda bazi lae gya"

Minhas | 13 years ago | Reply @Talha Think before speak! Islam is our identity and Pakistan will remain the Islamic Republic till judgement day. INSHA'ALLAH!!! The need is just to apply Islamic Law in our country and it is only the solution of all problems in Pakistan.

Nadia Aslam | 13 years ago | Reply May his soul rest in peace he was a great man.....and a moderate man silenced by a maulvi. these maulvis have ruined Islam and our country by their beliefs....

Mahjabeen | 13 years ago | Reply I feel sorry for him and his family and at the same time really scared to see the growing intolerance , ignorance and great confusions over religious issues.i pray that may God give us greater understanding of the issues and with this wisdom, patience to bear difference of opinions because if i dont agree with you then my mere disagreement does,t make me a non-muslim.

Sahyra Qamer Sultan | 13 years ago | Reply My salutations to thy sacred streets, O beloved nation! Where a tradition has been invented- that none shall walk with his head held high... If at all one takes a walk, a pilgrimage... One must walk, eyes lowered, the body crouched in fear- FAIZ

usman Arshad | 13 years ago | Reply ina lillahe waina eleihe rajeoon...........

Talha | 13 years ago | Reply Malik Bilal To hell with all the Mullahs, May they reap the destruction they have sowed.

Hafjk | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan wake up due to your support for terrirism and extreemidm under varios pretexts it wont be long before the world attacks to destroy you It is no ones fault Everyone is responsible MULLAS WILL DESTROY PKISTAN

Disco Molvi | 13 years ago | Reply In the days to come this, religiously motivated murderer will be hailed as a hero by the masses.

Ali | 13 years ago | Reply @Talha Islam is our Identify, and Pakistan will remain Islamic Republic till Judgement day! INSHA'ALLAH!!!

M Qamar | 13 years ago | Reply Inna lillah he wa inna ilaihe rajioon

Sulaiman Qasim | 13 years ago | Reply A sad day. Sincerely hope the people behind this murder are identified and they all should be hanged.

Mulla Toofhan | 13 years ago | Reply May Allah rest His Soul in peace and a Surah Fateha for the Brave Departed Soul. A Man who lived his life like a Lion and gave his Life like a Lion

Ch Allah Daad | 13 years ago | Reply Very sad incident, but its not shocking. Everyone knew that Mr. Taseer was target of terrorists. The only way to fight terrorism is to stand up an fight. There is no other way, unfortunately most of the politicians, military and civil rulers have adopted the tactic of hiding and avoiding.

mak | 13 years ago | Reply Inna lillahey Wa inna Ilehey rajeeon. Part of the broader 'religious zealots vs. moderates' war that has been taking place in Pakistan. Daggers are out now - lets wait and see who prevails. Condolences to the Taseer family. Indeed a sad day in the history of Pakistan.

Rasheed | 13 years ago | Reply He was a brave and courageous person. He was brave enough to say kala kanoon to a black law. I salute him.

xfactor | 13 years ago | Reply Im wondered how people change.. before his death people curse him... now people praising him... what a diplomacy..!!!

Sabahat | 13 years ago | Reply So sad

Shah | 13 years ago | Reply My deep condolences with Taseer family. May his soul rest in eternal peace. left and progressive groups come together speak louder against religious fanatics. I hate fanatical, unthinking and violent religious supporters of any type. This is happened coz of yester-yesterday rallies by religious Fanatics.

Mansoor | 13 years ago | Reply Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Elaihi Rajioon My extreme condolences with salman taseer family. may be he was assassinated bcoz of these reason.. 1) Taseer defends increase in POL price http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=23580&Cat=5&dt=1/3/2011 2) Mr Taseer had recently spoken out against the country's blasphemy law, prompting protests by Islamists. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12111831 so he will be .......

Amna | 13 years ago | Reply Ina Lillahi wa inna elahi rajioon

Hammad Ali | 13 years ago | Reply Shame on us... the extremist society !

Anwar Ahmad | 13 years ago | Reply Mr. Taseer's murder proves that Blasphemy Laws are draconian and barbaric "kala kanoon".

anonymous | 13 years ago | Reply A very very sad day for Pakistanis. When will the senseless killings and intolerance towards humanitarian causes and simply good hearts reign in our nation? Why is a country as rich historically in culture and tolerance towards all religions as ours, today turning to the immensely barbaric ways? When will the killings of those with vision, with good political sense, with ways of the world be allowed to express themselves without having to lay down their lives for their beliefs? When when will we see/practise common sense and the goodness expressed so well in our Quran? If there is a silent majority, it is time we peacefully take to the streets against these hated mullahs and their more so hated teachings and way of life, completely and contrary to the teachings of Islam.

Ali Akbar Khan | 13 years ago | Reply This is another Indian / RAW plot to divide the country. These crimes are being visited upon Pakistan only because we have failed to implement strict Sharia law, and because we have failed to unite in the holy objective of freeing Kashmir from Indian slavery. We have the nuclear bomb, yet are not taking any step to free Muslims in Palestine, Kashmir, Chechnya, or the Uighurs of China.

Pakistan Top Stories | 13 years ago | Reply Its a very sad news, i appeal to the all Nation please be in peace.

Ali Khan | 13 years ago | Reply May his soul rest in peace. My sympathies with Taseer’s family. A great loss to this nation!

Kashif Rizvi | 13 years ago | Reply Salam to all ALLAH said in Quran " if you kill one person then its the murder of whole humanity" According to Islam no one have right to kills others, BUT its sad tht Muslims have no good education of Islam n Quran. When we r just thinking about this world, greedy for rule n money then we forget about last day of Qiamat... Salman was killed definitely to get his position"Money n seat to rule".

Ali Khan | 13 years ago | Reply May his soul rest in peace. My sympathies with Taseer’s family.

Murtaza Ali | 13 years ago | Reply proven by another fanatic that we do not value human life..!! a person who took vow to save his life murdered him. it was purely another step towards anarchy.

sadaqat | 13 years ago | Reply very sad

Abdul Rauf khan | 13 years ago | Reply This is very sad for his family and the PPP party and for the country politics specially this Gilani government crises time.May Allah be rest of his soul Amen.

M Bilal | 13 years ago | Reply Well, well, well... when some one has to go will go... bullet proof cars and hundreds of guards can all go against you when your time is up... Really shocked at whatever has happened!!! Just wish no anarchy spreads as a result of that and people remain calm.

Azeem Shafique Baig | 13 years ago | Reply May his soul rest in peace.

Disco Molvi | 13 years ago | Reply Mumtaaz Qadri has accepted that he has killed Salman Taseer because the governer was against Blasphemy Law!

well done | 13 years ago | Reply @Umer i think u r Mullah, people are talking about. Mullah did not kill him but did instigate people for such killings. By the way, ur comments, first muslim, then pakistani, speaks how intolerant u r that instead condoling his Death, u r talking Ruubbish at this sad incident.

Muzaffar | 13 years ago | Reply Another killing which will be condoned by masses and may be even justified to some extent by mullah's who are hijacking the peaceful message of Islam. Surely, he was killed because he showed sympathy towards poor christian women....

abdullah | 13 years ago | Reply this is really sad no one has the right to kill any1 ..he was a man who said whatever was in his heart..was a very straight speaker

Malik Bilal | 13 years ago | Reply @NOOR think before you speak...!!!

Mohammed Moinuddin | 13 years ago | Reply Mr Amer's comment is correct that there could me a lot more than just the Aasia case behind this murder. The Goverment should investigate deeply in this case to bring out the main culprits and responsible for this murder.

Ali Abbas Sultan | 13 years ago | Reply ! KAMRAN Very good point. Yes Anwar Saadat and also Gandhi was assinated by guard

Uzair | 13 years ago | Reply Allah bless Salman Taseer's soul. And may Allah punish the fitna-spreaders and guide the misguided people who have turned His religion of peace and compassion into one of chaos and hatred and cruelty.

Murtad | 13 years ago | Reply If you talk you get shot.That's how fanatics in Pakistan are acting. Very unfortunate indeed. May his soul rest in peace.

MAD | 13 years ago | Reply Didnt like the guy, but what happenned is very sad. my condolences to his family.

Adil | 13 years ago | Reply Mr Taseer was a man wearing many hats. It's another Indra Gandhi type assasination where the political leader paid for their bodyguards religous beleifs. In a country like ours where the the majority like 80 to 90% working class like the guards of governer Punjab and all VIPs etc are brought up by the Fundamentalist system goverened by the mullahs. Mr Taseer was either ignorant of this fact or ignored it while paying with his life. As for the peaple feeling sorry for being Pakistanis and stuff, well, i consider it only emotional outbursts while ignoring the ground realities of Pakistan since it's inception. All the countries of the world have got their share of extremists and fundamentalists. Live wisely if u wanna live well.

Fayaz | 13 years ago | Reply I doubt that someone will come from somewhere to save us from ourselves....!

Sarah Shahzad | 13 years ago | Reply My extreme condolences with Taseer family. May his soul rest in peace. After all he was one decent governor of Punjab province, a patriot and above all, a human. Its high time our God forsaken Government should do something about defining the "taking-of-law-in-your-own-hands" in the name of "blasphemy" ... for such brutal acts carried out towards society remain unjustified... and unanswered. Heard just now that the authorities have arrested his driver, who felt his "spiritual-ill' as his utmost 'duty to Islam' in order to justify his "kill".

Schazad | 13 years ago | Reply I am very very sad but extremely mad about this. He was ray of light for many like me who wants the bigotry and hypocrisy end in our society. A no non sense person and a sane voice has been silenced. If its because of this Kala Kanoon, then I have a voice too. This Kala Kanoon has to go. My vote against this kala kanoon. Indeed a very sad day today.

Aamir | 13 years ago | Reply Christians, Shias, Sunnis, Ahmadiyyahs, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddists, Bahais everyone is being killed here in Pakistan. I wonder when this killing will stop.. No wonder the world treats every pakistani as a terrorist.

Eeman | 13 years ago | Reply Time to hire Atheist body guards.

Anil | 13 years ago | Reply Really Sad, @Ronit "he was a sign of hope for Pakistan" thankyou for your concern, dont worry about us,

Sameer | 13 years ago | Reply May Allah save this country.

saima | 13 years ago | Reply i wish sanity prevails. who ever killed for whatever reason i feel sad. wether the extremists, or business rivials or political rivals who ever were involved. Life of a human being in Pakistan is not worth any thing. saima

Ahsan | 13 years ago | Reply Indeed a tragedy.....

Talha | 13 years ago | Reply Remove Islam from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan if you want to see this nation live. Simple as that.

ASQ | 13 years ago | Reply i wish we showed same sentiments when pakistani muslims were being booked wrongly under blasphemy law.honestly we as a nation r never sincere with any cause.a simple thing and everyone agrees even mullahs that there should be some law to punish who miss uses the law simple as that.having said that the person who killed should be hanged and anyone who incites violence should be put behind bars but its not gona happen.

MiP | 13 years ago | Reply An eminent Alim e Din Munib ur Rehmn (i guess he is or was on Government pay-roll) a few minutes ago on a Tv channel condoled his murder but added "That the Government should tell its higher functionaries not to talk about contentious and sacred RELIGIOUS ISSUES" meanng that any one who speaks up against the "Namoos e Rissalat Brigade" will be murdered ...

Zakir Hussain | 13 years ago | Reply Now you know why no sane men will talk about the ills of Pakistan or for that matter in any other Islamic country. The moment they talk about intolerance the fanatic Mullahs will order them to be killed.

QuranVsHadith | 13 years ago | Reply How long will we let these MULLAHS keep us terrorized? How many people have to die to keep these mullahs happy? wake up HUMANS!!!

Zahid | 13 years ago | Reply Its more upsetting to know about SMSs circulating declaring it as God's wrath upon those siding with blasphemer. When we learn to tolerate other person's view. May Allah protect us from Mullah brigade

abida hussain | 13 years ago | Reply a moderate voice silenced by the fanatics... we can only pray that may God rest his soul in eternal peace!!!

Shireen Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Devastated by the sad news, he was an amazing, strong person who dared to take on the terrorist fundamentalists, may they all rot. In his honour, we should abolish the blasphemy law. I wish his family strength in this difficult time and would like them to know how much he was admired.

tahir islam | 13 years ago | Reply May his soul rest in peace. Another tolerant Pakistani becomes the victim of extremism. This is very alarming situation for a society and a country. This shows that difference of opinion is unacceptable in our society. Every true Pakistani is deeply sad on this tragic incident. MAY ALLAH HELP US AND GUIDE US IN THIS CRISES.

Fayaz | 13 years ago | Reply This shows we have NO FREEDOM OF SPEECH in Pakistan. Don't know what should say but today I am ashamed to be a Pakistani!

Ronit | 13 years ago | Reply As an Indian i never liked what Salman Taseer said about India, he was very anti Indian...but being a liberal, he was a sign of hope for Pakistan...seriously very sad...I will miss his insulting(but funny) comments about India on twitter.

Aamir Ali | 13 years ago | Reply A brave man murdered by a cowardly fanatic for speaking out against the unjust and savage blasphemy law.

Azmat | 13 years ago | Reply A stark reminder of how polarized and intolerant the society has become

Adil | 13 years ago | Reply No comments

Umer | 13 years ago | Reply why to hell with Mullahs? mullah did not kill him

Zafar Iqbal Zafar ظفراقبال | 13 years ago | Reply http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12111831 Mr Taseer had recently spoken out against the country's blasphemy law.

Amer | 13 years ago | Reply Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Elaihi Rajioon…. This has gone totally out of hand now. His own body guard killing him is the most horrific thing and there could be alot more then just the Aasia case behind his murder....

F. | 13 years ago | Reply May God save this country.

mnkhan | 13 years ago | Reply BRUTAL, BARBARIC,--------------------SAD DEMISE.--------------MAY ALLAH REST HIS SOUL IN PEACE.

Noor | 13 years ago | Reply To hell with the Mullahs!

Hammad Naqvi | 13 years ago | Reply "Allah takes it upon Himself to deal with those who “revile Allah in their ignorance”. as Governer defines nd m alwaz in support of this; if v want Blasphemy Law then v must knw how to implement it....u can see wht Happened to GOJRA's Christian Village...wht abt Aasia Bibi now who will support her... v r all pakistanis...so y r nt v equal.... if killing is tha solution they every non-muslims nd those who r against ths law mst b killed nd rest (MULLAS or Supporterz of Mullas PML N nd etc) may rule ths country

Umer | 13 years ago | Reply apparently a loud and clear message, Muslim 1st then Pakistani

M.Usman | 13 years ago | Reply very said news

Kamran | 13 years ago | Reply Why are some blaming Pakistan for this. This is not the first time that a law enforcement agency personnel has assassinated a politician. We all know these type of cases have happened throughout the world. Anwar Sadaat is one example. Who knows why Mr. Taseer was murdered. He had opened several fronts to himself. He was a politician / businessman with several controversies attached to him. We, instead of blaming Pakistan or feeling sorry for being Pakistanis, should be able to have a more mature attitude and go deeper into the route cause instead of giving comments like feeling sorry for being Pakistanis or being pitiful to ourselves / country. Please don't jump to conclusions, because Islam or Mullah may not be the real reason. Islam should not be brought into every issue.

Anwar Ahmad | 13 years ago | Reply Horrific incident. SMS are circulating declaring it as God's wrath on those taking sides with Blasphemer. This is probably another Ilm Din in the making by mullah's fiery speeches in Aasia's case. May Almighty Allah protect us from fanatic mullas. Amen.

ASQ | 13 years ago | Reply i think the govt is responsible for his death.no one took notice of the cleric of peshawer announcing reward for killing blasphemer.unless and until gov shows some guts these things gona happen.

sajid | 13 years ago | Reply So sad! Think about" not only for pakistani governament but also for tha public of pakistan,,,,,,,,,

Iqbal+Khan | 13 years ago | Reply What is this country !!!! Murdering people like Salman Taseer who stood against Mullah Brigade !!!!

Sandy | 13 years ago | Reply Very sad Another moderate voice of Pak has scummed to these mullahs

Emmon Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Well the generals must know, the mullahs have to be vanquished before they bleed Pakistan to death! Next will be these protectors in uniform that will come under the mullah sword!

kamlesh AHUJA | 13 years ago | Reply Ya Allah Pakistanio ko apni amman main rakh.....

shy | 13 years ago | Reply sad n tragic news.

Aasim | 13 years ago | Reply Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Elaihi Rajioon.... another secular assassinated by the 'gairat bridage'...

PRINCE SHAHRYAR RANA | 13 years ago | Reply he was killed by extremists, 100 %

TIM | 13 years ago | Reply Its time our nation wakes up before it gets too late. How many of us ever think about our future, because if we did, we will all go out, vote for the right person and not sit in our homes infront of the t.v or computers and just gossip or discuss, all we do is discussions, nothing practical at all. Look at the world, how strong the economy of other nations is, and what are we doing to make our country better for our coming generations, killing each other for land, money, and power. Its time to we all step out and do whatever we can for the prosperity of this nation.

sharif uddin | 13 years ago | Reply May his soul rest in peace..very soon mullah brigade will overtake this country.Those who raise voice raise voice for the depressed and poor never ever had survived in this unfortunate country...

Amna Khalid | 13 years ago | Reply This is actually very shocking and sad news. RIP Salmaan Taseer.

Zafar Iqbal Zafar ظفراقبال | 13 years ago | Reply A secular voice off !

Nadir El Edroos | 13 years ago | Reply And to think that someone actualy believes that murdering someone is gping to "Protect" the Holy Prophets honour. Can we know act against those who gun us down in the street or is defying america more important than prortecting Pakistani citizens? oh wait, perhaps we shpuld consider the mossad-raw links? Afterall musalman tau aisa kabhi nahi kar saktai!

hell to all mullahs | 13 years ago | Reply He was one of the best most forward looking politician and . May allah rest him in peace. Why not a single mullah is killed as of today ? we will be as same as Afganistan may be worse.

ammara | 13 years ago | Reply a sad tragic incident may his soul rests in peace...our nation lost a brave leader

parvez | 13 years ago | Reply How many more will they have to kill before we wake up and realise that they are killing us.

Javeria Nauman | 13 years ago | Reply Ina Lillahi wa inna elahi rajioon

moeed | 13 years ago | Reply very sad

Junaid | 13 years ago | Reply now i would be more vocal against these bas?ar? mullah and thought process.

Faraz | 13 years ago | Reply A very shocking, tragic and disturbing incident. May his soul rest in peace.

Monis Rahman | 13 years ago | Reply Shocked, livid, filled with remorse. Salmaan Taseer, regardless of if you agreed with his views, was a man of courage who put action behind conviction. His stand against the blasphemy law was nothing short of heroic in the face of right wing pressure to back down. He died standing up for our minorities. Rest in peace, Mr. Taseer, you will be sourly missed.

SherY | 13 years ago | Reply Inna lillahey Wa inna Ilehey rajeeon Why the attacker was killed as well.. why he was not arrested to know why he killed taseer, or who backed him to kill taseer?

Amadeus | 13 years ago | Reply =(

Talha | 13 years ago | Reply I am shocked and infuriated. A man who actually spoke for the persecuted has been killed by the very men who are supposed to defend this nation. I do not know what will happen to this country. Rest in Peace, Governor of Punjab.

Hasan | 13 years ago | Reply Aww, RIP,Allah hosla n sabar ata karay is k ghar walo ko Aameen

Riaz Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Sad! Here goes one more sane man.

Noreen Shams | 13 years ago | Reply hmm related to Aasiya BB case

omer | 13 years ago | Reply i feel sorry for governor and his family. may his soul rest in peace. i guess he was punished over blasphemy issue. i feel sorry to call myself a Pakistani. a country where every voice which is against mullah brigade is eliminated. a country where no one knows the meaning of tolerance. a country where there is no concept as free speech. i guess time is not far when this God forsaken country would be in a blood bath. we are fast running towards our end. R.I.P Mr. Taseer.

saleem muhammad | 13 years ago | Reply Ina Lillahi wa inna elahi rajioon. very sad

Ain | 13 years ago | Reply May his soul rest in peace. My sympathies with Taseer's family.

SA | 13 years ago | Reply OH!

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