Zardari, Gilani condemn murder

President Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned the assassination of Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer on Tuesday and directed the Interior Minister Rehman Malik to personally supervise the investigation and report to him urgently.
Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said that the President was informed about the tragic assassination during a meeting of the PPP MPAs of four districts here at Bilawal House after which all the meetings scheduled for today were postponed to a later date.
The President also directed the Party leadership that the birthday functions in connection with Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's 83rd birth anniversary on Wednesday be limited only to holding of seminars at district, divisional and provincial levels without fanfare and without cake cutting ceremonies. Quran Khwani for Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Salman Taseer will also be held on Wednesday as part of the birth anniversary functions of Party's founding Chairman, he said.
The President also asked the Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and MNA Faryal Talpur to participate in the funeral on his behalf. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will also participate in the funeral. Describing the assassination as a 'most ghastly' crime the President said that no words were strong enough to condemn it. The perpetrators of this heinous crime must be punished, he said.
Paying tributes, the President said that Salman Taseer was endowed with great courage and energy who employed his gifted qualities in the service of the province and the country. He faced the vicissitudes of life with composure, resilience and courage, the President said.
Condoling the death, the President also prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in peace and give courage to members of the bereaved family to bear the loss with fortitude. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the assassination of Salman Taseer. The Prime Minister ordered a high level inquiry into the incident and asked for submission of a report at the earliest.
The culprits involved in the assassination, he said would be brought to justice. The Prime Minister talked to President Asif Ali Zardari by telephone and apprised him of the sad incident. He also contacted the family members of Salman Taseer by telephone and expressed his heartfelt condolences.
The Prime Minister has appealed to the workers and supporters of his party to remain calm so that proper investigation could be conducted. Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani was informed of the attempt on the life of the Governor Punjab while he was on the Motorway near Chakri, returning to Islamabad from Lahore by road because of fog.