Who was Salman Taseer? Brief profile

By admintribe Jan 4th, 2011 ( 3 Comments )

Karachi: Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer, who was assassinated by a guard of his police escort on Tuesday in Islamabad, was an outspoken and controversial but a diehard PPP loyalist.

He was a senior PPP leader and was very close to Bhutto family. Salmaan Taseer was appointed as Governor Punjab in May 2008 by then military dictator, General Pervez Musharraf.

Salmaan Taseer started his political career in 60’s as a student activist. After the military coup of General Ziaul Haq in 1977, Taseer actively participated in the anti-martial law protests by PPP. In 1980, Taseer penned down an autobiography of late Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

In 1988, when Benazir Bhutto elected as Prime Minister of Pakistan, Taseer was elected as member provincial assembly (MPA) and played an active role as opposition MP in provincial assembly.

When Nawaz took over as Prime Minister in 1990 following his party’s electoral victory, the PPP led by Benazir Bhutto launched a long march against the Nawaz government. Salmaan Taseer actively participated in the anti government drive. During that era he was arrested many times and was sent to jail.

Besides being a politician, he was a successful entrepreneur, business tycoon and owner of a media house.

During General Musharraf era, he was very close to the military dictator and become part of the caretaker cabinet which conducted the 2008 elections. Later on, General Musharraf appointed him as Governor Punajb. He was very controversial personality especially due to his insensitivity for religious matters.