ISLAMABAD: A lawmaker of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) raised many eyebrows in the National Assembly on Thursday by demanding an “honourable” release of the convicted murderer of then Punjab governor Salman Taseer.
But the PTI took some time to disown the outburst made by Mujahid Ali Khan, its member from the Mardan district, while taking part in the budget debate after a PPP member from Sindh, Nafisa Shah, protested against it.
“Mumtaz Qadri should be released honourably,” Mr Khan said out of the blue about Mr Taseer’s guard who was sentenced to death in 2011 for shooting Mr Taseer to death in Islamabad on Jan 4 the same year in an obvious retaliation against the governor’s statements against the perceived misuse of the controversial blasphemy law.
An appeal against the conviction is pending before the Lahore High Court.
Ms Shah, rising on a point of order, condemned the PTI member’s demand and called for the convict’s punishment.
She also regretted that some lawyers had garlanded Qadri during a hearing and recalled the assassination of the then minorities affairs minister, Shahbaz Bhatti, in Islamabad by unidentified gunmen who are yet to be traced.
Arif Alvi, a PTI member from Karachi, told the house, probably after consulting other party members, that what his colleague had said was the “view of an individual” and not a policy of the party, which he said would be guided by the country’s constitution.—Raja Asghar
Lol one Pti lawmaker has more weight than PMLNs previous alliance with ASWJ and PPPs current alliance with Sunni ittehad council (to whom qadri belonged). By the way what's happened to freedom of speech now?
I hope they make him do a press conference and retract his statement, like Javed Hashmi did.... only that this statement is much more idiotic and dangerous.
Is this what IK's vision of tsunami? IK should act and kick him out from his party, otherwise these stupid retard will make him and his party as history very soon.
Party needs to educate its MNAs and MPAs on what to speak and what not to. in parliament and outside. explain all leaders/ elected MPA/MNAs about what is party policy, and give them chance to raise their voice and concerns against party policy internally... (there was a meeting of PTI MNAs at IK's residence, which i think was on this very issue)
and either make him take his word back, or cancel his party membership like PMLN did to their "Ghundi MPA"
Is this what IK's vision of tsunami? IK should act and kick him out from his party, otherwise these stupid retard will make him and his party as history very soon.
Unfortunately I don't see PTI lasting longer, by the end of their tenure they will have turned into PPP i.e. rejected in next elections.
On the first instance Taseer was killed on false grounds and secondly his own guard did it through some vigilante act ... Even if the courts rule that Qadri's motives were correct. They should also rule that he has no right to do vigilante acts and hence should be convicted as a murderer. It is possible to be treated honorably and still given penalty. However, personally I think what was done was totally dishonorable, but if someone agrees with his motives, that does not excuse a person from being a vigilante killer.
Mansur Al-Hallaj was killed for his blasphemy - but he was treated with honour and remembered with honour ... some versions say otherwise, but the fact is certain acts have penalties regardless of the motives being solid.
It sets a bad precedence ... that anyone with a sense - half-baked understanding of Islam can get up and do something like that ... and get away with it - it will stir up more to become like that.
I condemn this totally unacceptable statement by this PTI lawmaker but I think you guys are also overreacting as his personal views do not represent IK or PTI. He should be forced to retract or explain his statement by PTI leadership
Taseer's murderer deserves to be punished for his crime
I don't know why Imran khan gets a complete pass, but he did caucus with MMA in his last stint (2002-7) on women rights bill. It is a warning sign indeed.
Have you bothered to check what PTI leadership has said about it? have you bothered to check what PTI supporters stance is on this? Thank you for your verdict, some people really are shameless.
I don't know why Imran khan gets a complete pass, but he did caucus with MMA in his last stint (2002-7) on women rights bill. It is a warning sign indeed.
he opposed both hasba bill by MMA and women right bills by then govt on some valid reasons THEN.
this lawmaker's views are his on and PTI & IK's statements on taseer's murders are well known. In fact IK was the ONLY leader who publicly slammed MQ & heroic reception he got afterwards where own ppp workers did not dare to utter a word.
Unfortunately I don't see PTI lasting longer, by the end of their tenure they will have turned into PPP i.e. rejected in next elections.
I'd say it's bit to early to get into the wrist slitting mode. It hasn't even been three months since the party got into power and they have long five years ahead to perform their duties.
Smooth sea hardly make a skillful sailor. As long as PTI is willing to recognize their mistake and learn from it, the party could turn into a solid and well established political organisation.
Unfortunately I don't see PTI lasting longer, by the end of their tenure they will have turned into PPP i.e. rejected in next elections.
What this has to do with PPP? PPP has lost because of their performance under prevailing conditions inherited from previous government. PML(N) is facing more severe crisis than PPP government. Due to prevailing cirumtances for many years not a single party will be able to perform. PPP is not lost it has still made the government in Sindh and has many MNAs second to ruling party. But they are not as dumb like above stupid retard. IK must act now otherwise his party will become history.
What this has to do with PPP? PPP has lost because of their performance under prevailing conditions inherited from previous government. PML(N) is facing more severe crisis than PPP government. Due to prevailing cirumtances for many years not a single party will be able to perform. PPP is not lost it has still made the government in Sindh and has many MNAs second to ruling party. But they are not as dumb like above stupid retard. IK must act now otherwise his party will become history.
Let everyone not forget that our brave lootera zardari did not even attend his funeral and did not stand upto these terrorists. If he had this idiot would have been 6 ft under where he deserves to be. The murder took place during PPP's tenure but they were too busy looting the exchequer to pay attention to such "trivial" matters.