Who said what on Shahbaz Taseer’s recovery

By Ahmad Noorani
March 10, 2016

ISLAMABAD: Following the orders of the federal interior minister to launch an inquiry into the matter of terming “finding out of an already released Shahbaz Taseer”, it is important to note down who said what on Tuesday evening.

It has been an unfortunate and a disturbing trend during recent events, especially after horrible terrorism incidents resulting in killing of dozens of innocent citizens that different institutions start claiming credit of any “success” like elimination of terrorists or “recovery” of some kidnapped individuals. This process started even before the burial of innocent martyred souls.

Following is the time-line of the statements issued following news about Shahbaz Taseer on Tuesday evening:

6:05 pm: News of ‘recovery’ of Shahbaz Taseer was aired on different news channels quoting FC sources.

6:20 pm: FC Spokesman stated that Shahbaz Taseer has been recovered from a hotel from Kuchlak in suburbs of Quetta. This statement however neither issued any details of the incident nor claimed any credit.

6:23 pm: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar stated on the floor of the Senate that Shahbaz Taseer has been recovered from Quetta but further confirmation of the news would be made after some time.

6:28 pm: A statement of DG Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Asim Saleem Bajwa was aired on news channels according to which intelligence agencies have recovered Shahbaz Taseer during a joint operation from Kuchlak area of Quetta. The word used in reported news items were. “hasssas idaroon ki Kuchlak main mushtarka karwaai main Shahbaz Taseer ko bazyaab karwa lia gia”.

6:43 pm: Spokesman of government of Balochistan Anwarul Haq Kakar confirmed recovery of Shahbaz Taseer during an operation.

7:00 pm: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Shareef praised the role played by concerned institutions in ‘recovery’ of Shahbaz Taseer.

7:41 pm: Chaudhry Nisar stated that IG Police Balochistan has confirmed recovery of Shahbaz Taseer. He was recovered during a special operation.