Governor Salman Taseer gunned down in Islamabad

Pakistan

Governor Salman Taseer gunned down in Islamabad

Close

04 January,2011 04:39 pm

Governor Punjab Salman Taseer was shot and killed by his security guard in Kohsar Market of Sector F-6 in Islamabad, Dunya News reported on Tuesday. The Punjab Governor was shot dead by his bodyguard while he was walking back to his home after having lunch in F 6 Sector Islamabad. The Governor came to Kohsar Market on foot, had his meal with a friend and was returning home from the restaurant when a security guard of elite police force of his convoy opened fire at him.PM Gilani has announced three-day mourning and canceled all activities during the period. Punjab government has announced holiday on Wednesday in the province after Governor Salmans murder. Namaz-e-Janaza of Governor Salman Taseer would be offered at 1pm at Governor House Lahore today. The Prime Minister has also ordered state funeral for late Salman Taseer. He will be laid to rest with full state honour. Taseer received 9 bullet shots in his chest and face. He was shifted to Polyclinic in a police van where he succumbed to his injuries. His dead body was shifted to PIMS Islamabad for post mortem. According to Post Mortem report, Salman Taseer was struck with 27 bullets in his body but his heart remained saved. A bullet that hit his neck caused death, the report added. The report said a sub machine gun was used in the attack. At least 6 personnel of Elite Force including the killer were apprehended on suspicion. The killer named Mumtaz Qadri has confessed that he killed the Governor due to his open support for blasphemy convict Aasia Bibi. Religious parties strongly resist any changes in the blasphemy laws. Effigies of Salman Taseer were burnt in countrywide protests last week. President Asif Ali Zardari has taken notice of the incident and asked the Interior Minister Rehman Malik to submit report within 24 hours. Rehman Malik has constituted an investigation team to probe the real motives behind Governors assassination. All political leaders including President Zardari, PM Gilani, MQM leader Altaf Hussain, PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif, Fauzia Wahab, Shermeela Farooqi, Afsandyar Wali, Raja Riaz, Governor Gilgat-Baltistan, Governor and CM Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have strongly condemned the murder of Salman Taseer. Salmaan Taseer was a member of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and had also served as a minister in the caretaker cabinet of Prime Minister Muhammad Mian Soomro under Pervez Musharraf. Taseer was also the chairman and CEO of the First Capital and Worldcall Group. He was appointed to the post of governor on 15 May 2008 in place of outgoing governor, Lt Gen (R) Khalid Maqbool by former President, Pervez Musharraf at the request of the PPP establishment.