Re: US threatens to expel Pakistan Ambassador Haqqani !!!
Come what may-- Davis will not be let-off What is being heard and seen today all across Pakistan on the roads, streets, in the media, from the pulpits, from the religo-political leaders and from the seats of power in Lahore and Islamabad seem reminiscent of those last few days of the fall of Dhaka when a martial race euphoria had taken over the entire Pakistan, General Niazi had boastfully declared over my dead body, but when that day of judgment had arrived these political and religious leaders playing agent provocateurs were the first to surrender, run away from the country or left for 'umra' or took shelters in their hideouts, sought asylums abroad, leaving the poor masses to bear all the brunt of their provocations, mishandlings and misdoings that ultimately ended in a worst disaster not only in terms of huge loss of life and property, but also the country shrunk to less than a half—not to mention the lifelong shame that unfortunately now has rooted in our lifestyle.
Islamabad has made it clear to Washington that it is unable to give a clean chit to the US national Raymond Allen Davis and let him go. The matter of diplomatic indemnity will also be taken up in the court of law.
The US citizen is involved in killing two Pakistanis in broad daylight at one of the busiest places of the city. After killing the two persons in the city, Davis claimed that he did the act in self-defence.
Contrary to that city police chief on Friday at a news conference said their “investigation into the fatal shooting of two citizens by US national Raymond Davis in January has found that the man did not act in self-defence.” Lahore CCPO Aslam Tareen said that Raymond Davis carried out “an intentional and cold-blooded murder. The investigation was carried out on pure merit which led the police to the conclusion that Davis was guilty of murder.” The police submitted the provisional challan requesting the court to take action against him under the Article 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
On the other hand, US Consul General in Lahore, Carmella Conroy Friday evening in a statement said, “We understand that the eyewitnesses at the scene said that Raymond acted in self-defence, when confronted with two armed men on motorcycle.” “We also understand that these men were found with stolen property and, as the police stated today, a loaded gun,” the statement said.
“We regret that authorities did not consider the eyewitnesses’ account and physical evidence when they stated that this was not a case of self-defence. As a member of administrative and technical staff at the US Embassy in Islamabad, Raymond Davis is entitled to full immunity from criminal prosecution by Pakistan under Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961. All countries, including my country and your country, freely agree to abide by these rules. Under the rules, he should be freed immediately,” it said. “This incident was a tragedy, and we feel tremendous sorrow over the loss of life. We extend our deep sympathy to all the family members who have been affected,” the statement concluded.
The US officials and diplomatic personalities also contacted the Punjab government and repeatedly demanded his release. The Punjab government took the stance that the matter was to be decided by the court and the matter of diplomatic immunity lies with the Foreign Office and that is a federal subject.
After marathon sessions Islamabad made it clear to the US authorities directly or through American officials that it was not possible for it to release Davis because of several reasons: The Islamic forces have bettered their ranks and have shown their muscles in recent past. They have launched a movement against the government on blasphemy law and the movement was so vigorous that a guard of the Punjab governor killed him. The federal government conveyed to Washington that due to the Islamists movement they have lost their governor Salmaan Taseer and cannot afford their becoming forceful at the moment as the anti-American sentiments are high and religious parties can get benefit of it and bring the masses on streets.
Islamabad feared a Tunisia and Egypt like situation and conveyed to Washington that release of Raymond Davis can create conducive atmosphere for the fundamentalists.
It also conveyed to Washington that the media in Pakistan is free and has created an atmosphere where the public sentiments have diverted to the families of the victims. The suicide of the wife of one of the victims, Faheem, has emotionally charged the atmosphere and public at large is demanding public hanging of Raymond Davis.
A large number of local organisations have put up banners on roads, instigating the public emotions with slogans like “Shumaila’s blood challenges the Ghairat (honour) of Pakistani nation.” Islamabad conveyed to Washington that in such situation release of Raymond Allen Davis can create great trouble for them.
On the question of diplomatic immunity, Islamabad conveyed to Washington the concerned person should have told this to the police ab initio, but he stressed to be a consultant of the US diplomatic missions and the Punjab Police lodged an FIR against him for murder. The accused did not claim immunity at the first step and the case was registered now it was not possible to get him out of jail, give him a clean chit and berth on a plane to go scot-free.
A judicial magistrate ordered on Friday that the accused be sent to jail for 14 days.
As of today, it appears that the Raymond Davis case will proceed in its normal course, which generally takes years, sometime decades to decide by our courts, especially in this case where the provincial and federal governments are so cautious of the militants’ fury, the courts too may not be willing to put themselves and their family to any risk.
Meanwhile, let us hope and pray that some fanatics inside the jail or the guards escorting Davis to the court or any desperado taking the challenges of the ‘honour’ of Pakistani nation doesn’t replay the ‘Qadri’s heroic’ deed, throwing the nation to commit collective suicide. (
http://www.thenews.com.pk/blog/blog_details.asp?id=1099)
