The 9 Pakistani students arrested in the UK and who were found to be completely innocent are still in jail
Why?
The UK wants to deport them to Pakistan, and wants Pakistan to submit a written pledge that they will not be mistreated upon their return to Pakistan. According to British law they cannot be deported until this commitment is obtained, as Pakistan is a country known to torture suspects.
Pakistan says it will not be complicit in the arbitrary and baseless deportation of its citizens, and that these students should be released and allowed to resume studies. Accordingly, Pakistan refuses to provide the documentation that will allow the UK to deport them.
What is the right thing to do? Should Pakistan do whatever it takes to have its citizens freed immediately, and write the letter? saying that they will not be mistreated upon return.
Or is it more important to make a stand that western governments cannot simply treat Pakistanis however they like and kick them out without any evidence of doing anything wrong - even if making this stand means that 9 young Pakistanis have to continue living out their youth in a foreign jail?
Re: Sacrificing Pakistani citizens freedoms for national pride
Pakistani government should approah international courts/arbitration/UN etc to let the students be free so they can continue their studies. The only reason I see them not being freed for studies is they will spill truth, gain media exposure and reveal lots of truth which is currently not available.
Re: Sacrificing Pakistani citizens freedoms for national pride
what about the pakistani lobby in britain? ideally pakistan govt should be the best representation for pakistani student but unfortunately that doesnot appear to be very likely.needless to stay brits are totally out of line here. this is extremely disappointing, political witch hunt under the guise of security and terrorism. in australia indian high comission supported their student rather apprropriately. first pakistan govt fails to provide the common decent response that any citizen should expect of its govt and then later on cries about why people land into trouble.
Re: Sacrificing Pakistani citizens freedoms for national pride
Pakistani lobby in UK and US is not so strong because the residents don't use their influence in the right direction. There are so many professional Pakistanis who should form a committee and push for initiatives that benefit the homeland. It won't be a Pakistani vote the congressmen/Senators will be ignoring, but rather a muslim vote and i believe the number of muslims in US/UK to be quite strong. Just need to utilize it properly and engage in the country's affairs.
The dilemma is that many professional Pakistanis are just happy to be making a good living, and be able to support their families back home. Anything beyond that is asking too much (Just my observation)...That attitude needs to change. Pakistanis must involve themselves in American affairs more actively if they are to be recognized as a considerable identity that cannot be ignored.
Re: Sacrificing Pakistani citizens freedoms for national pride
^hmm u r rite. but i thought britain had the best representation in terms of muslims(out of australia, usa and uk) and you've got a pakistani lordy in parliament so just wondering.what truly puzzles me is the lack of uniform voice in usa.
Re: Sacrificing Pakistani citizens freedoms for national pride
This is sad. I hope the UK authorities let them go if they have nothing on them. The GoP should help these kids get out of jail & not prolong their misery.