Pakistan’s influential governor of the richest agricultural province Salman Taseer was shot in Islamabad by one of his own security guards. The assassination took place at Kohsar Market in Islamabad in the sector F-6. The governor had served the government from 2008 till date. The local news channels report that he was shot by Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, one of his own guards. The governor was going toward his care when the guard opened fire ruthlessly.
The governor was initially moved to Poly Clinic Hospital and then after death he was moved to the PIMS hospital where the post-mortem report unveiled that the body of the deceased had a total of 27 bullet shots. The interior minister Rehman Malik confirmed the death on media and also confirmed that the elite force security guard has been arrested. He further told that the guard has confessed that he opened fire on the governor because of the governor’s support to Asia bibi. The women Asia bibi was accused of profanity. The governor was against the Pakistan’s law of Blasphemy which resulted in such an assassination.
The governor was a senior member of the ruling party. He had been an active participant of Pakistan People Party which was also the party of Pakistan’s great leader Benazir Bhutto. The 66 year old governor fell down after the gun shots and Qadri the assassinator raised both of his hands dropping the gun down. The story was portrayed by a witness Ali Imran to Reuters.
Unconfirmed reports say that Mr. Salman Taseer came to the market to have a lunch with his friend. The last official person he met was his party member Qamar Zaman Qaira. He has also been reported to visit the Senate before the assassination.
The Pakistan People Party (PPP) supporters have taken to street throughout Punjab and are protesting against the cruel assassination. They are burning tyres and blocking traffic. The Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Yousaf Raza Gilani declared 3 days of mourning to be observed nationally. The Prime Minister also ordered quick inquiry of the assassination and ordered for immediate results.
The crime scene had blood smeared at many locations. The Governor was going to sit in his silver Toyota car when suddenly the guard opened fire. The car shows many gun shots including a flat tyre. The guard Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri belonged to BarahKahu, a nearby area in Islamabad. He was appointed to the governor from Rawalpindi garrison city.
The PPP leader Raja Riaz told the media regarding the funeral. He said that the body of the governor will be brought back to Lahore tonight. The funeral is to be held tomorrow at governor house.