Re: Politicians/journalists statements regarding murder of Salman Taseer!?
Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assemblies condemn assassination
RECORDER REPORT
LAHORE (January 06, 2011) : Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa assemblies on Wednesday condemned the assassination of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer. A wave of gloom pervaded the Punjab Assembly where its session lasted for hardly 20 minutes. While addressing the legislators, Acting Speaker Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan condemned the incident. He said it is a sad moment and all the members of the House express full sympathies with the bereaved family.
Later, the Speaker gave the floor to Punjab Senior Minister Raja Riaz (of PPP). In an aggressive manner, he termed the Punjab Governor's assassination a political murder. He reminded the House that the PPP has a history of rendering sacrifices and Taseer's name is added to the list of martyrs. He assured the House that the PPP would continue its efforts towards strengthening of democracy.
Punjab Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rana Sanaullah (of PML-N) also condemned the incident and expressed grief on behalf of his party leadership. He informed the House that the PML-N leadership and its cabinet members were wanted to attend the funeral of the Punjab Governor. "However, after a discussion with the Punjab Senior Minister, we were advised against it with a view to avoiding any unpleasant incident since the PPP workers were in a severe state of shock, the presence of PML-N leaders could have caused some bitterness," he added.
Punjab Finance Minister Tanvir Ashraf Kaira (of PPP) said that the assassination of Punjab Governor deprived the party of a brave and courageous political leader, and this incident caused a serious shock to the party. "Instead of giving the incident a political or religious colour, it is more important to bring the real culprits to justice," he added.
On behalf of her party (PML-Q), Dr Samia Amjad expressed grief and sorrows over the assassination of Taseer and strongly condemned the incident. She advocated for a high level investigation to unveil the real facts behind the Punjab Governor's murder. Later, the speaker adjourned the house till Friday morning. Meanwhile, the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday passed a unanimous resolution to condemn the assassination of Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer and adjourned the proceedings till Friday to express solidarity with the bereaved family.
The joint resolution was moved by Saqibullah Khan Chamkani of ANP, which was also carrying the signatures of both senior ministers, Rahim Dad Khan, Bashir Ahmad Bilour, Provincial Minister for Housing, Amjad Khan Afridi, MPAs Mukhtiar Khan, Abdul Akbar Khan, Asif Bhatti and Atif-ur-Rehman. Through the resolution the assembly condemned the assassination of Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer and expresses sympathies with the family.
The three legislators of JUI-F present in the house also supported the resolution. However, Mufti Said Janan from Hangu said that murder of Taseer should not be seen in the religion context. The man who had killed governor, he said was neither student of any seminary nor had come out of mosque and as he was the government employee, therefore, his act should not be linked with the religion.
He said that they strongly condemned murder of the Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer, adding that such acts could lead the country towards anarchy. He also flayed reports that some people had distributed sweets in different areas on the assassination of the governor. He said that some elements intentionally linked killing of the governor with religion and religious parties.
Earlier, when proceedings started MPA Qalb-e-Hassan asked Speaker Khusdil Khan Advocate to offer Fateha for Salmaan Taseer and adjourned the House as a mark of respect. ANP lawmaker Atif Rehman Khalil also asked the chair to suspend the proceedings. Only 28 lawmakers were present in the House.
Senior minister Rahim Dad Khan condemning killing of Taseer said that such acts of barbarism defamed religion and the country. He said that extremist groups did not want political and economic stability. He pledged that despite hurdles they would continue struggle for democracy and nobody would be allowed to derail the system.
Senior minister, Bashir Ahmad Bilour paid tribute to assassinated governor and said that he was senior and a bold politician. He said that ANP opposed extremism in any form, adding that country needed peace and stability at this critical moment.
Minister for Elementary Education, Sardar Hussain Babak said killing of Taseer was a national tragedy and also conveyed "wrong" message abroad. He said that fanatics had celebrated the murder of the governor and distributed sweets, which he believed more dangerous for the society. He urged political forces to show unity against fanatic and religious extremist groups. He also expressed solidarity with Pakistan Peoples Party.
Earlier, the House referred two questions moved by MPAs Qalb-e-Hassan and Mufti Said Janan to the concerned committee. These questions were related with elementary education department. The House was adjourned till Friday morning.