LAHORE – Almost all the political parties of the country have strongly condemned the assassination of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer and called January 4 a ‘black day’ in the history of Pakistan.
All the mainstream political leaders including PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, PML-Q president Ch Shujjat Hussain, JI Amir Manawar Hassan, PTI chairman Imran Khan, MQM head Altaf Hussain, JUI-F Maulana Fazl ur Rehman, ANP central leader Asfand Yar Walli expressed their grief over the murder of Salman Taseer in their messages.
They condoled with the bereaved family of Salman Taseer and prayed that may Allah rest his soul in eternal peace and grant courage to his family.PML-N senior leader Iqbal Zafar Jhagra said that it was saddest news which came during a press conference being presided over by PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad.
He said that PM-N had always condemned the extremism and said Salman Taseer also became its victim. He was of the opinion that the entire nation should join hands weed out the cruse of extremism and terrorism. PML-Q Like-Minded leader Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri demanded a judicial inquiry into the assassination. He feared the incident could deepen political instability in the country.
PML-N senior leader Ishaq Dar said that it was highly deplorable incident and sympathised with family of Salman Taseer. PML-Q central president Ch Shujat Hussain and party’s Punjab president Pervaiz Elahi said that it was a tragic incident and it happened when country was already passing through a critical time. They said the assassination of the governor showed growing trends of intolerance and religious extremism.
PTI chairman Imran Khan said that after the murder of Salman Taseer, all political parties needed to join hands to map out strategy to get rid of ‘so-called war on terror’. Awami Muslim League president Sheikh Rashid said that death of governor was tragic and this showed lack of security given to late Punjab governor.
President of PPP Lahore Samina Khalid Ghurki said Punjab Governor Salman Taseer was an asset of the party. “He organised the party in Punjab on better lines. His murder has created a political vacuum,” she said adding that not only the PPP but the entire country was mourning over the tragic incident. Punjab Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan expressed sorrow over Taseer’s assassination.
He condoled over the incident Provincial Minister for Finance and Planning & Development Tanvir Ashraf Kaira strongly condemned the murder of Paunjab governor and said that he was a moderate leader. In his condolence, the minister said that his services would be remembered forever. Provincial Minister for Culture & Youth Affairs Dr Tanvir-ul-Islam also condemned the assassination termed it a tragedy.
