News
Thursday, January 06, 2011
US newspapers pay tribute to Taseer
NEW YORK: Leading American newspapers on Wednesday paid tributes to the assassinated Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer for his courage in standing up for the rights of Pakistani women and minorities.
“Mr Taseer was a brave man who had called for the repeal of Pakistan’s outrageous antiblasphemy law,” The New York Times said in an editorial.
“Whoever killed Mr Taseer must be condemned and repudiated, not extolled. Otherwise, Pakistan will certainly continue on a downward spiral in which intolerance and self-destruction triumph,” The Times said.
The editorial, entitled: ‘A Brave Man Killed’, said: “The governor’s death is a tragedy not just for Pakistan but for all who understand that just and stable societies need honest debate and full respect for minorities.”
“Pakistan cannot afford to lose any fair-minded leaders, especially at a time when it is struggling with a virulent insurgency, an unravelling economy and an unravelling central government,” the newspaper read.
“Pakistani authorities need to investigate thoroughly and share their full findings with the Pakistani people. The United States and the international community must make clear their outrage over this killing. So must every Pakistani,” the article stated.
The Wall Street Journal said, “Salmaan Taseer, the liberal-minded governor... appealed to President Zardari to commute the death sentence of a Christian woman named Asia Bibi, a mother of five who had been convicted of blasphemy by a local court.”
“As for the rest of Pakistan, this is the time to honour the fallen governor by demanding the government release Ms Bibi, rescind the blasphemy laws, and stand up to the murderers among them,” the newspaper said. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk