LAHORE – The city’s situation became extremely tense as news of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer’s assassination spread in the governor’s hometown and aerial firing incidents were also reported in some areas. All major markets and other business centers were closed on orders of Lahore District Coordination Officer (DCO) Ahad Cheema.
Cinemas and theatres were also closed to mourn the governor’s assassination and the DCO said that the City District Government Lahore (CDGL) closed markets to save traders from further losses. Traffic wardens also stopped traffic going to the Hall Road while other markets including Anarkali, Shah Alam, Rang Mahal and gold market of Ferozepur Road were closed instantly.
Traffic jams were also witnessed at some places due to protests and citizens faced problems in reaching their destinations.
The Shalimar Link Road was also blocked by protestors whereas diehard PPP workers held protests at various areas in the city. A large of people from all walks of life reached the governor’s private residence at the Cavalry Grounds to mourn his assassination. Sentiments against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) were witnessed among PPP workers who blamed PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah for the situation. They asked that why always the PPP has to bear assassinations and its leaders come under attack.
The Governor’s House Main Gate also remained the centre of attention when PPP workers chanted slogans in Taseer’s favour and against the PML-N. “Governor teray khoon say inqalab aayega”, whereas protestors alleged that the Punjab CM was behind the incident. They said, “The conspiracy to assassinate the governor was planned at the CM House with Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah”. PPP workers started holding protests in various parts of the city as well to protest against Taseer’s assassination.
Parents started calling their children who were out of their homes. Mrs Ikhlas said that she called her child from a tuition academy when she came to know that the situation was tense in the city. She said that in the prevailing deteriorating situation, anything could happen. Citizen Ahsan Ali said that he saw some people firing in Bhaati Gate and Rang Mahal area. He said that as the news spread, people rushed into their houses. Ali said that police must have taken measures in order to stop aerial firing, which could prove to be extremely dangerous in the prevailing situation. Various roads gave a deserted look at night. An Anarkali businessman said that business was already on the lower side due to load shedding and traders had announced a strike today (Wednesday). He said that the governor should have an idea about consequences of his comments before terming blasphemy laws as “black laws”.
People said that this time, the situation has been much better if compared to Benazir’s assassination. Businessman Hamza Ikram said that although the former PM’s murder was a bigger loss but still the performance of the district government was much better in controlling the situation. He said that the business community faced huge losses after Benazir’s assassination but this time the situation did not get much worse. People who were at recreational places including restaurants, parks and zoo also rushed to their homes. Student Abrar, who was in a restaurant near the Mall Road, said that as the news spread, he and his friends rushed to their homes to save themselves from any untoward situation.
Business was already on the lower side due to load shedding. The governor should have had an idea of the consequences of his comments before terming blasphemy laws as black laws
