FIR registered over attack on vigil to commemorate Salman Taseer

Published January 5, 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: Police on Monday registered a case against unknown persons in relation to Sunday's attack on a candlelight vigil in Lahore to mark the death anniversary of former Punjab governor Salman Taseer.

The First Information Report (FIR) of the incident was registered in the Gulberg police station when civil society activists complained that their vigil to commemorate Taseer was attacked by unknown men.

The FIR has been registered against seven unknown men and certain sections from the anti-terrorism act have also been added to the complaint.

Meanwhile, police sources say nineteen people have been taken into custody — including some who were seen to be involved in the attack.

Police sources told Dawn that most of the arrested men belong to a banned organisation.

Taseer was murdered by his security guard Mumtaz Qadri for demanding reforms in Pakistan’s blasphemy laws in 2011. An anti-terrorism court had awarded death penalty to Qadri in October the same year.

Sunday’s attack on the vigil commemorating the later governor took place when members of civil society gathered at the provincial capital’s Liberty Chowk to light candles in the slain politician’s memory.

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 had, however, managed to flee before police arrived at the scene.

Civil society activists said candlelight vigils have been organised in Taseer’s memory for the past four year, but this was the first time that such an event was attacked.

Opinion

Editorial

Race against time
Updated 09 Feb, 2025

Race against time

While some bright spots emerged at Breathe Pakistan moot, we must streamline our climate governance.
Open door
09 Feb, 2025

Open door

THE door is still open for talks, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has reminded the PTI. What matters, however,...
Football suspension
09 Feb, 2025

Football suspension

ONCE again, Pakistan has been ousted from the global football family. FIFA recently suspended the Pakistan Football...
A year later
Updated 08 Feb, 2025

A year later

A war of egos has been fought between a handful of individuals at the cost of the well-being of millions of ordinary Pakistanis.
Wheat decision
08 Feb, 2025

Wheat decision

THE federal decision to stop setting the minimum support price for wheat and cease the staple’s procurement...
Dhanmondi attack
08 Feb, 2025

Dhanmondi attack

HISTORY has shown that unless states deliver development and equal rights to all, disenfranchised people can target...