You are here
In a tragic development, the Governor of Punjab province, Salman Taseer has been assassinated by his own guard while making his way out of a busy market area in the Islamabad. The assassinator was identified as Mumtaz Qadri. He has confessed to the killing stating that calling the blasphemy law a black law costed Taseer his life.1
However, reports noted that the Obama administration has decided to offer Pakistan more military intelligence and economic support to step up regional peace and anti-militant progress along the Afghanistan border. This comes in the wake of US Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to Pakistan next week to seek cooperation from Pakistan for a long term strategy in the region.2
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that India should resume composite dialogue with Pakistan to resolve all outstanding issues, including the Kashmir dispute, peacefully and expeditiously. He made these remarks while talking to Dr Guido Westerwelle, the Deputy Chancellor and Foreign Minister of Germany, who called on him along with members of his delegation.3 Similarly Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit noted that Pakistan is ready for meaningful and comprehensive dialogue with India on core issues such as Kashmir, Siachin and others.4
- 1. “Punjab Governor martyred”, Daily Times, January 5, 2011 at http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\01\05\story_5-1-2011_pg1_1
- 2. “US to offer more military, economic support to Pakistan”, The News, January 9, 2011 at http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=3192&Cat=13&dt=1/9/2011,
- 3. “India must resume composite dialogue with Pakistan: PM”, Daily Times, January 10, 2011 at http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\01\10\story_10-1-2011_pg7_7
- 4. “Pakistan ready for meaningful dialogue with India: FO”, Daily Times, January 3, 2011 at http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\01\03\story_3-1-2011_pg7_38