Various ulema in their Friday sermons praised Malik Muhammad Mumtaz Qadri for assassinating Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer in the federal capital and prayed for his safety and respectable release from jail. Qadri, employed as a commando in Punjab Police and a member of the security detail of the late Governor is, at present, in the custody of Islamabad Police.
A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) comprising Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Special Branch and Police is exploring his possible links with terrorist groups or any political personality as, according to the ruling PPP, Taseer's assassination is a political murder - a view not widely held.
"O Allah, make hidden arrangements for safety of Qadri, a brave man, from police," said an Imam in Islamabad after the Friday prayers. A number of people listening to him responded with "Aameen". There have been appeals by ulema in sermons on Friday to the general public to financially support Qadri and his family. They also thanked the lawyers and the workers of Tehreek-e-Khatm-e-Nabowat for their support for Qadri and asked the government to withdraw a Bill tabled by one Member of the ruling party for amendments in Namoos-e-Resalat Act.