Salman Taseer’s commemoration attacked in Lahore

Published January 4, 2015
A woman lights a candle next to an image of the governor of Punjab Salman Taseer. – Reuters/file
A woman lights a candle next to an image of the governor of Punjab Salman Taseer. – Reuters/file

LAHORE: Unidentified miscreants attacked a candlelight vigil organised to mark death anniversary of former Punjab governor Salman Taseer who was murdered by his own security guard Mumtaz Qadri for demanding reforms in Pakistan’s blasphemy laws in 2011.

The attack was carried out when members of civil society gathered at Liberty Chowk to light candles in the slain politician’s memory.

Qadri, who was Taseer's bodyguard, shot him dead on January 4, 2011 at Kohsar Market in Islamabad over the politician's call for blasphemy laws to be reformed.

An anti-terrorism court had awarded death penalty to Mumtaz Qadri in October the same year.

Qadri was feted as a hero by a wide section of the public, including lawyers, and was even showered with rose petals as he arrived at court for a trial hearing.

Know more: Salman Taseer's killer incited shooting of elderly blasphemy inmate

The baton wielding miscreants tore apart banners and posters as they attacked members of civil society. Several people were injured in the sudden attack. The attackers, however, managed to flee before police arrived at the scene.

Civil society activists said that candlelight vigils have been organised in Taseer’s memory for the last four years, but this was the first time it was attacked.

Ordering a probe into the incident, DCO Captain (retd) Mohammad Usman has ordered swift arrest of the culprits behind the attack.

Other police officials told the media later that the eye witness accounts have been recorded and vowed that the culprits would soon be brought to justice.

Reaction on social media

Condemnation poured in soon after the incident was reported on local media with politician and members of civil society demanding arrest of the culprits.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...