Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) expressing satisfaction over the decision in Punjab Governor Salman Taseer murder case stressed upon more work on the religious tolerance in the country while majority of other political parties avoided reacting to the double death sentence to the accused Malik Mumtaz Qadri.
PPP parliamentary leader in Punjab Assembly Major (r) Zulfiqar Gondal paid tributes to the Anti Terrorism Court Judge Pervaiz Ali Shah and said he had made a ‘historic decision’, adding that under the present situation, when on one side the son of slain governor Shahbaz Taseer had been kidnapped, such decisions would not only increase national respect but also enhance a layman’s confidence in the judicial system. He said the PPP was persuading the policy of liberalism and considered the religion to be a personal affair of an individual and if anyone was involved in any suspected blasphemy charges then the state should decide over it under the law.
Senator Pervaiz Rashid of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz said it was a court decision and PML-N respected it. He, however, added that whatsoever the decision, the law permits the aggrieved to appeal.
Spokesman of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) and General Secretary Punjab Chapter Fawad expressing satisfaction over the verdict said they welcomed the decision and it was according to the law. This would enhance people’s confidence in the judiciary and supremacy of the law, he said, adding it would curtail the trend of taking the law in one’s hand. Fawad Ch, however, said he was personally against death sentence.
Commenting on the death sentence announced to Qadri by the ATC, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary Liaqat Baloch said Salman Taseer had himself invited death by issuing blasphemous statements and the accused Qadri did not deserve death in this case. He said Taseer had belittled the love of the people for the Holy Prophet (pbuh) by holding a joint press conference with the blasphemer woman and promising her clemency which had sparked religious sentiments.
He said although the accused had made a confessional statement but the rulers should realize if the execution of the death sentence would help improve the situation or further deepen the religious sentiments of the masses and it would not be easy. Adopting a cautious response, Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) declined to comments. Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) and many leaders of PPP also avoided registering their reaction over the sensitive case to save their skin.
