Re: Lahore Court acquits CIA contractor Raymond Davis of murders
off course they secured his released by carrot & stick .. but just after few hours high ranking American official is denying any compensation is a slap on the face of Judiciary & Military of Pakistan.
Not really, it just goes to show that both sides are lying to some extent.
Re: Lahore Court acquits CIA contractor Raymond Davis of murders
Th Pakistani establishment was using this case as a rallying point against the Americans but the americans have turned the tide towards them as this will deepen the mistrust between the people and their rulers Americans can sit back and enjoy now
Re: Lahore Court acquits CIA contractor Raymond Davis of murders
Well what about his crime of carrying illegal firearms, the judge bent backwards to release Davis on that charge.
I agree with you but this is also a fact the govt will have to do most of the explaining
Re: Lahore Court acquits CIA contractor Raymond Davis of murders
I thought the Lahore court is a civil court...and the settlement of the 'blood money' is to be decided by some Shariat court...according to the Sahria Laws...hmmmmmm
PS: If the 'blood money' jurisprudence comes under the Lahore High Court...than the people of Pakistan must accept this verdict...whatsoever...
Re: Lahore Court acquits CIA contractor Raymond Davis of murders
Not really, it just goes to show that both sides are lying to some extent.
Americans have lost nothing and this statement of Clinton has really put Pakistan into defensive
Re: Lahore Court acquits CIA contractor Raymond Davis of murders
Americans have lost nothing and this statement of Clinton has really put Pakistan into defensive
So what you are saying is that because clinton said they have not paid money it should be believed. I say that clinton is lying to cover themselves up. They are going to say that they have not paid, Pakistanis are saying that they have paid, so who do you believe.
Re: Lahore Court acquits CIA contractor Raymond Davis of murders
I am sure the Americans are lying but people of Pakistan will ask their government clintons statement has put pakistanis in a tight spot
Re: Lahore Court acquits CIA contractor Raymond Davis of murders
How shameless is pak government they could'nt even speak and ask for the release of our sister Affia Siddique who has been tortured and assaulted by the shaitain american forces.
I hope the people of pakistan finally wake up, enough is enough they are the only ones who can move and make a change look at egypt and tunisia the people have the power you have seen in last 2 months what people power can do!
Re: Lahore Court acquits CIA contractor Raymond Davis of murders
AAJ TV showed the the court papers today signed by 18 family members, their affidavits and break down of money each of them got (such as one of victim's mom got 33 million Rs, his wife got 25 million Rs, each of his bro got 7.5 million and so on).
BBC is also reporting that Sauadi Arab played the key part in the deal. In fact a umrah visit was arranged for all family members and deal was finalized in SA. It was SA that was able to pull back extremists from outrageous reaction. As per BBC there will be "ehtejaj" on friday but at the end of the day, all political parties will read from the same script direct by Sauadi Arabia.
Re: Lahore Court acquits CIA contractor Raymond Davis of murders
^ ok lets see what happens
Pakistani nation denounce release of US shooter
Updated : Wednesday March 16 , 2011 9:52:21 PM
KARACHI: The Raymond Davis case sparked protests in Pakistan, with people angrily denouncing the American while few political and religious leaders condemning the mysterious release of CIA contractor who shot and killed two Pakistanis in Lahore.
The US shooter left Pakistani soil after families of the two he killed were given “blood money” and the case was dropped. He then flew for Afghanistan’s Baghram Airbase.
Officials said the CIA man left prison after $2.3 million ‘blood money’ deal, defusing a dispute that had strained ties between Washington and Islamabad.
Not all religious parties, but the Jamat-e-Islami condemned the release, describing it an “issue of entire nation”.
The JI chief, Syed Munawar Hasan blasted the federal government and the Punjab government as well for its alleged role in releasing the CIA contractor. He was of the view that provincial administration was equally responsible in releasing Davis.
“It was planned, and Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif was also a part of this conspiracy. Both, Peoples Party and Muslim League are US stooges and on the same page for US slavery”, he criticized.
Hasan claimed heirs of the deceased were missing since last night. And they have probably been pressurized for accepting the money. “All the episode is a result of US pressure”, he said.
In his telephone talk with ARY NEWS, the JI chief told that his faction has announced countrywide protest against the move. “This is obviously a setback to our national dignity and sovereignty,” Hasan regretted.
The JI workers staged protest demonstrations in Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and other cities soon after the news grabbed headlines on TV channels.
Separately, the chief of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, Imran Khan also lashed out at the government and the judiciary as well for today’s drop scene of Davis case – not so unexpected.
The cricketer-turned politician said it was not an individual’s issue to pardon the US national, but he committed ‘crime against the state’ which should not have been pardoned.
Khan suspected the release was pre-planned. “First the US insisted on his immunity, which he was not enjoying, and later, kin of the victims were pressurized to take money”. He said “It was a fixed match between Pakistan and US”.
Khan also announced protest day on Friday.
He warned that the decision to free Davis would fuel anti-American sentiments and terrorism in Pakistani society.
In Lahore, score of PTI workers were injured when police baton charged them during a protest demonstration against Davis’s release. The infuriated activists also surrounded US consulate and attempted to enter the building.
In the wake of unfavorite decision, security has been beefed up at all US consulates in Pakistan.
The case dominated headlines and television shows in Pakistan, with analysts using it to whip up hatred against the already unpopular United States.
Davis, a 36-year-old former Special Forces soldier, was arrested after he shot and killed two armed men he claimed were trying to rob him.
A third Pakistani man died when he was hit by a US consulate vehicle rushing to help Davis. Police rejected Davis claim of acting in self-defence and booked him for murder.
Re: Lahore Court acquits CIA contractor Raymond Davis of murders
Chalo ab sab SA ko bhi duawon mein yad rakhen jese USA ko yad rakhte hein:chupki:
Re: Lahore Court acquits CIA contractor Raymond Davis of murders
How much every family member received:
Re: Lahore Court acquits CIA contractor Raymond Davis of murders
http://www.dawn.com/2011/03/17/scared-by-reaction-govt-retreats-into-shell.html
Scared by reaction, govt retreats into shell By Baqir Sajjad Syed | From the Newspaper
http://www.dawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/davis-release-protest-reu-543.jpg
ISLAMABAD: Reaction to the news of CIA operative Raymond Davis’s release through payment of blood money with protests in several towns and cities and an emotional outburst on TV talk shows accusing the federal and Punjab governments and military and intelligence services of having bartered national interest and indulged in a secret sellout unnerved the government forcing it to retreat into a shell.
**There was no comment from the Presidency, Prime Minister’s House or Foreign Office on the development.
Fear of a backlash was so intense in government circles that the Foreign Office cancelled its weekly media briefing usually held on Thursday.
**
This gave a field day to what some government officials privately described as ‘ghairat (honour) brigade’, which used the opportunity to lash out at the government and military.
An inadvertent release of US Ambassador Cameron Munter’s reaction on Davis’s release, dated March 10, confirmed that the deal had been finalised almost a week ago, but its implementation got delayed probably because of issues pertaining to execution of the deal.
“The families of the victims of the Jan 27 incident in Lahore have pardoned Raymond Davis. I am grateful for their generosity. I wish to express, once again, my regret for the incident and my sorrow at the suffering it caused. I can confirm that the United States Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the incident in Lahore,” Mr Munter said in the statement.
Release of Davis, who was arrested on Jan 27 after fatally shooting two men in Lahore, was preceded by a lot of give and take between the two countries, particularly their security agencies whose cooperation is thought to be the bedrock of the bilateral relationship.
The public spat between CIA and ISI in the aftermath of the Davis episode made it unmistakably clear that the incident was being dealt with in the context of their underlying tensions that had boiled to a point where they could no longer be concealed.
Therefore, it was understood that resolution of the Davis saga hinged on a deal between ISI and CIA as to how the two inter-dependent spy agencies agreed to carry forward their relationship.
That Davis’s release came only a day after it had been reported that ISI and CIA were nearing a settlement confirmed the notion that the spy agencies had first resolved their own differences before the jailed CIA spy flew from Lahore to Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan.
What ISI gained from or conceded to CIA during the negotiations would not be known to anyone until some WikiLeaks expose it.
One can, however, have a fair idea of what was discussed in those negotiations, which essentially started at a secluded luxury beach resort in Oman late last month in a meeting between Army Chief Gen Kayani and the American military top brass, from the litany of ISI complaints mentioned in a letter written to a US newspaper. These grievances related to CIA’s supposed arrogance and disrespect to ISI and building of its (CIA) secret spy network to bypass the Pakistani partner (ISI).
Besides, Pakistan’s worries about Afghanistan, sources say, were also taken up at the secret parleys.
But one thing that could be said with surety is that the deal, which had President Obama’s nod, could mark a serious change in the ISI-CIA collaboration parameters.
ISI may have got advantage to a certain extent, but there are indications that the military leadership has also agreed to address the American concerns that in the first place pushed it to developing its own network inside Pakistan for infiltrating jihadi groups.
One obvious indication in this respect came from Isaf Commander Gen Petraeus in his testimony before the US Senate Armed Services Committee, where he said: “We are coordinating closely with the Pakistani Army to conduct Isaf operations that will provide the anvil on the Afghan side of the Durand Line against which Pakistani Taliban elements can be driven by Pakistani operations in the border areas.”
This, military sources confirmed, implied that Pakistan had agreed to prioritise military operations against extremists having safe havens in its tribal belt, which had so far been not possible because of military compulsions. Would that be an operation in North Waziristan? It could be anyone’s guess.
Re: Lahore Court acquits CIA contractor Raymond Davis of murders
CIA Contractor Raymond Davis Is Free – Now Is the Time to Reconsider Our Support for Pakistan’s Government
By Christian Whiton
Published March 16, 2011
The return of a U.S. official illegally held by Pakistan is welcome news, but the overall incident is outrageous and the U.S. role in directly or indirectly providing a “blood money” payment is potentially scandalous. The Obama administration backed down to lawless behavior by a supposed U.S. ally, and in so doing, again made America look weak. This episode adds to a list of reasons to reconsider our support for Pakistan.
Raymond Davis was detained in Pakistan on January 27 after shooting two men in self-defense. Mr. Davis was accredited to the U.S. consulate in Lahore, which means he had diplomatic immunity. Under article 29 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, to which the U.S. and Pakistan are both party, it was unlawful for Pakistani officials to detain Mr. Davis, much less imprison him for over a month. He was released on Wednesday after the families of the dead reportedly were paid $2.3 million in so-called “blood money” compensation—effectively a bribe.
The fact that Mr. Davis was acknowledged after his arrest to be a contractor, or that he works for the Central Intelligence Agency, is irrelevant. All major U.S. missions have representatives of several agencies who perform various diplomatic and administrative functions. Whether they work for the State Department or another agency does not impact the diplomatic immunity to which they are entitled—and which is essential for effective communication between governments.
If a government dislikes the affiliation or conduct of a certain diplomat, its recourse is to expel that person. That is the arrangement Pakistan broke by effectively taking Mr. Davis hostage.
Pakistan’s conduct would be outrageous for any government. But what happened is even more appalling from a government that purports to be an ally and which has never had a problem holding its hand out for U.S. money. Assistance from U.S. taxpayers to Pakistan has increased to a sky-high average of $1.5 billion per year. The gall of asking for an extra $2.3 million payment on top of this is insulting.
**We should take this opportunity to reconsider our support for Pakistan’s government.
Exactly what is that $1.5 billion a year supposed to buy us? Pakistan is far too corrupt for economic assistance to work, and pouring money into a corrupt system only encourages corruption.** The Pakistani military still seems more seized with poking the eye of its nemesis, India, than defeating the violent Islamists within its own borders. Enthusiasts of Pakistan have long claimed progress in changing this, but nearly a decade after 9/11, evidence is lacking.
Pakistan still uses and supports terrorists as tools of national policy, as was again demonstrated vividly when Pakistani terrorists went on a killing spree in India in 2008. Anti-Americanism is pervasive and violent. Sending billions of U.S. dollars to Islamabad and paying bribes does nothing to help these matters.
Some would conclude that our largesse for Pakistan buys us access to neighboring Afghanistan, and the “privilege” of assaulting terrorists in areas within Pakistan’s borders but beyond its control. If the Pakistani government views these activities as being in its interest, they will continue without our massive handout of cash. If not, then Pakistan is not an ally at all, and the U.S. ought to seek alternatives to relying on an adversary. This could involve seeking more access points to Afghanistan from Central Asia.
Others believe that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons capability compels continued U.S. handouts. But a better defense against the use or proliferation of nuclear weapons would be cooperating with democratic India on missile defense, counter-force and counter-proliferation.
President Obama, who presumably signed off on the payment for Mr. Davis’s release, whether it was direct or indirect, has again displayed profound weakness to the world. If governments we believe to be allies and pay handsomely not only get away with treating us like this, but benefit financially from it, then what will our adversaries conclude? As with every major foreign policy of the Obama administration–and Mr. Obama’s conduct in every foreign crisis–those who wish us harm see only blue skies ahead.
Much damage has already been done from this episode, but Congress should act. Ideally, aid to Pakistan should be halted. But at a minimum, regardless of its source, the bribe paid for Mr. Davis’s release should be subtracted from this month’s check for Islamabad to send a message. Congress should also demand and release all information and communications related to this episode, including any direct or indirect U.S. role in the “blood money” payment. Congress should also pass a law prohibiting U.S. government bribery for the release of hostages, and debate alternatives to our reliance on Pakistan. Through this, Congress can at least mitigate the damage while shining light on Mr. Obama’s dangerous and negligent conduct in foreign affairs.
Christian Whiton is a former U.S. State Department senior adviser and is a principal at D.C International Advisory. He is a frequent contributor to Fox News Opinion.
Re: Lahore Court acquits CIA contractor Raymond Davis of murders
...duplicate
Re: Lahore Court acquits CIA contractor Raymond Davis of murders
Guys, do any of you really think anyother resolution was possible or desirable - whether you look at it from the US or Pakistani point of view? put aside emotions aside and you can see this was the best solution given the situation.
Obviously no amount of money can compensate for the loss of life but a more serious breach of relationship is dangerous for the US and could have been catastrophic for Afghanistan and Pakistan
Re: Lahore Court acquits CIA contractor Raymond Davis of murders
It's certainly refreshing to see US Administration turning to Shariah laws to safeguard one of its own. We shall remember this as a gesture of American acceptance of Shariah as a whole.
Or is it nitpick for preference, as needed/required by circumstances?
Re: Lahore Court acquits CIA contractor Raymond Davis of murders
actually the handling of the whole issue by punjab government was wrong first they built up emotions and expectations and then abruptly succumbed to the pressure, if they couldn't sustain the pressure they should have let him go quietly the day they caught him. Now because of the handling they are in a defensive mode.
Re: Lahore Court acquits CIA contractor Raymond Davis of murders
PPP, PMLN, MQM and the ANP were all on board in this deal. One of PPP's janwars/jiyalaz Raja Riaz was issuing statements on a daily basis against the PML[N] in Punjab, on trivial matters, but kept his mouth shut all day today which clearly proves the Govt signed a deal and had everyone in the parliament in confidence along with the top brass of the military.
The only two parties that arent sold out are the PTI and the JI, its obvious.
Re: Lahore Court acquits CIA contractor Raymond Davis of murders
[quote]
The cricketer-turned politician said it was not an individual’s issue to pardon the US national, but he committed ‘crime against the state’ which should not have been pardoned.
[/quote]
Khan should update his understanding of Pakistani law. What happened here was perfectly legal under Pakistani law. Mullahs who want to exploit this for political reasons should know this was done according to Islamic law/Sharia law. What else do these people want?