Another high profile kidnapping
The abduction of Shahbaz Taseer, son of slain Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, near his company’s office in Lahore Friday morning brings into question the Punjab government’s ability to check the rising tide of crime in the provincial capital. This was the second high profile kidnapping in the city within a fortnight, the first being of US national Dr Warren Weinstein’s, which coincided with the Punjab Chief Minister’s whirlwind tour of Karachi to express grief over the deteriorating law and order situation there.
The armed abductors intercepted Mr Taseer’s sports car in the close vicinity of his office and whisked him away in a black Prado. A gun supposed to have been thrown by his captors was found at a stone’s throw from the crime spot. The incident put the security apparatus into overdrive with the police sealing all the entry and exit points around the city amid calls for swift action by the Punjab government. So far there has been no claim of responsibility.
A news report quoted a senior employee of the companies owned by Taseers as pointing a finger of suspicion at the associates of the former Punjab governor’s assassin in a bid to pressurise the authorities to secure his release, or at someone having business or property disputes with the grief stricken family. There could also be the possibility of the abductors being linked with a professional gang involved in cases of kidnapping for ransom.
The incident unfortunately sparked a sharp exchange between the top provincial authorities. While Governor Khosa accused the Punjab government of complicity or incompetence, Law Minister Rana Sanaullah claimed that the abductors were trained in Waziristan, the line his leadership opted not to pursue any further. They must stop politicising the matter and make efforts for Mr Taseer’s early recovery. Meanwhile, Mian Shahbaz Sharif would do him and his government a great favour by putting his own house in order rather than getting worried about the lawlessness prevailing elsewhere in the country.