Daily Times

LAHORE: Family members, politicians, journalists and the general public welcomed the homecoming of Shahbaz Taseer, son of slain former Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer. Former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani, whose son Ali Haider Gillani was also kidnapped in a similar high-profile incident in 2013, said he has conveyed his congratulations to the Taseer family via phone. “I cannot tell if my son and Shahbaz were kept together, this can only be confirmed when we meet Shahbaz Taseer,” Gilani told a private TV channel. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told media he has telephoned Shahbaz’s brother Shehryar Taseer and congratulated him on his brother’s safe return. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Aseefa Bhutto Zardari and Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Wasay Jalil congratulated the Taseer family through Twitter, while others welcomed the long-awaited release. Last month, after Qadri’s execution, Shahbaz’s wife Maheen had tweeted that the only victory for her family will be when her husband will come home safely, adding that Shahbaz was innocent and has suffered for over four years. Social media users took to Facebook and Twitter to express their happiness upon his recovery and congratulated his family members. The political leadership of the country greeted Taseer’s family members by saying that the patience and steadfastness they showed is commendable. While talking to Daily Times, former president Pervaiz Musharraf credited the law enforcement agencies for the safe recovery of Shahbaz. Yousaf Raza Gilani said he was immensely pleasure over the recovery. “I wish my family gets the same kind of happiness which God has bestowed on Taseer family and may my son be recovered soon,” Gilani added. Qamar Zaman Kaira said the recovery of Shahbaz Taseer is good news for the entire nation. Awami Muslim League President Sheikh Rashid said Pakistan Army did a great job. Former president Asif Ali Zardari said Shahbaz’s release after almost five years of captivity is a most welcome news not only for Shahbaz and his family but also for the whole nation. He expressed hope that the son of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani will also be recovered soon. Zardari said Shahbaz and his entire family deserve to be commended for enduring this ordeal and nerve-wracking experience ever since he was kidnapped in August 2011 with remarkable patience, composure and dignity. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif termed it good news, saying the performance of institutions concerned is commendable in this regard. Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri congratulated the Taseer family and said Shahbaz is in good health. In a statement issued on Tuesday night, he also congratulated the security forces for the safe recovery of former Punjab governor’s son. “Security forces showed good performance by recovering Shahbaz Taseer from a place near Quetta,” he said.