Saudi Arabia denies consular access to Zaid Hamid
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ISLAMABAD: Saudi authorities have denied a request by the Pakistan embassy for consulor access to Zaid Hamid, a self-proclaimed security analyst jailed in Saudi Arabia.
In Medina, a team from Counsel General Jeddah was denied access to Zaid Hamid and was not allowed to meet the analyst.
Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah, responding to a question, denied knowledge of the sentence given to Zaid Hamid and said it had not been confirmed by Saudi authorities.
The spokesperson further said that with the efforts of the foreign ministry, Hamid’s wife has been able to meet him at Madina prison.
Read: Safma threatens to sue Zaid Hamid
Diplomatic sources had said that Zaid Hamid was arrested last month for making an alleged provocative speech in Madina criticising the Saudi government.
Also read: Zaid Hamid accused of plotting to kill key figures
India, Pakistan exchange list of prisoners
Pakistan and India have exchanged list of prisoners under an Agreement on Consular Access signed between Pakistan and India on 21 May 2008.
"Consistent with the provisions of this Agreement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs handed over a list of 403 Indian prisoners, including 48 civilians and 355 fishermen, in Pakistan to the High Commission of India in Islamabad today,,FO spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said.
The spokesman said a similar list of 278 Pakistani prisoners, including 251 civilians 27 fishermen lodged in Indian jails was also handed over to the High Commission for Pakistan in New Delhi.
Both countries are required to exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody twice a year, on 1 January and 1 July, respectively.
The Agreement on Consular Access (2008) makes a provision that an arrest detention or imprisonment of a person of the other country shall be notified to the respective high commission.
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On DawnNews
Jul 01, 2015 05:03pm
This man talks too much and unnecessary !!!
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Jul 01, 2015 05:04pm
Sad to hear, but it's real unfortunate , non of Pak consulate tried to get in touch with him,
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Jul 01, 2015 05:06pm
Good riddance. Please keep him.
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Jul 01, 2015 05:06pm
Hahaha. I wish he gets out of jail.
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Jul 01, 2015 05:07pm
C all back all units from SA.
They dare kidnap a Pakistani unless they return zaid hamid we should sent our military to get him back
It's not about zaid hamid it self Its about the fact that he is a citizen of Pakistan and SA is nothing and no one to arrest him
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Jul 01, 2015 05:10pm
Though being Muslim i have utmost respect for Makkah and Medina, but not to the King and gov or Saudi Arabia, punished for 1000 Lashes merely speaking against Saudi Gov??? unlawful and inhumane
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Jul 01, 2015 05:16pm
The judicial system of Saudi Arabia seem very flawed as counselor access is a universal right and practice. Don't get me wrong but this is a fact!
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Jul 01, 2015 05:20pm
Zaid Hamid would have enjoyed freedom of criticizing a western country while visiting that country.
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Jul 01, 2015 05:28pm
It's seems Saudi Arabia is against a great Muslim Ummah Protector.
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Jul 01, 2015 05:29pm
O those Saudis at it again!
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Jul 01, 2015 05:35pm
Who the hell they are to arrest our patriotic man. Army must intervene and give a strong reaction to them. Bring him back at the earliest
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Jul 01, 2015 05:39pm
Saudi Arabia administration is pretty arrogant must be taught!
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Jul 01, 2015 05:39pm
If it was some other country they would have attacked KSA by now and freed their citizen. No how much we disagree with ZA but he is a Pakistani and KSA should be treated just like the Saudis would treat an American
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Jul 01, 2015 05:39pm
Pakistan govt. does not care about its citizens whether they are being hanged or their heads chopped of by Saudis. We should voice for ZAHID whether we like him or not becoz he is a Pakistan and if he has committed some crime in holy land he should be provided an opportunity for fair trial.
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Jul 01, 2015 05:41pm
This is a humiliation for Pakistan and Pak army. A person who spent most of his life fighting for and defending Pakistan and its ideology has a lot of respect in the hearts of Pakistani and Pakistan's army as well. Putting him in prison and lashing him will be nothing short of insulting us!
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Jul 01, 2015 05:41pm
Saudi Arabia is owned by one family and run by family members.
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Jul 01, 2015 05:41pm
Thanks God we don't have a Saudi Style government, over here anyone can speak their mind as long it's not against the army.
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Jul 01, 2015 05:42pm
Look how the so-called brotherly Muslim nation is treating a Pakistani regardless of whatever character he is. On the other hand, our rulers, for their interests, hardly get tired of appreciating the Saudis kings. There are no respect for human rights in Saudi. We as Pakistani should sensibly think whom we are trying a one way friendship and brotherhood.
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Jul 01, 2015 05:43pm
I am no supporter of this man but If Zaid was a Western national, he would have been released with a public apology. That's what the Arabs have been doing in the past.
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Jul 01, 2015 05:45pm
Muslims are safer in Western democracies than in a holy land. Another point to support democracy and shun kingship.
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Jul 01, 2015 05:46pm
With friends like these, who needs enemies?
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Jul 01, 2015 05:47pm
I have seen this gentleman on few shows.Thinks no end of himself.
What did he get for showing of his knowledge. ???
1000 lashes?
Feel sorry for him
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Jul 01, 2015 05:47pm
Pakistan Embassy must get him out with out delay thats a citizen of the country ccan you hold a saudi like that ......
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Jul 01, 2015 05:48pm
I don't like both Saudi govt and Zaid Hamid as well. Good to see one of them is beating another one. but 1000 lashes is too much.
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Jul 01, 2015 05:51pm
Zaid Hamid is a son of the soil and he's shown that he doesn't bow down in front of thx monarchs of Saudi Arabia who claim to be leaders of Islam nor to other enemies of Pakistan whether our neighbors or our internal enemies.
What I find hilariously hypocritical of Pakistani liberals is that they will cry for Raif Badawi but not Zaid Hamid to speak his mind.
The Pakistan govt should do everything in its capacity to free this servant of Pakistan.
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Jul 01, 2015 05:56pm
Not long ago, Pakistan was able to secure the Saudi King's pardon for convicted drug smugglers, why can't it be done now?
It all depends on the interest of our rulers.
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Jul 01, 2015 05:57pm
Arabs are probably the most backward species in the universe.
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Jul 01, 2015 06:03pm
bring him to back...!!! Saudi's always doing reaction against Pakistan but Pakistan's govt still silent why .. :(
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Jul 01, 2015 06:10pm
@Changez_Khan
Its true and unfortunately rest of the population is ignorant and uneducated.
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Jul 01, 2015 06:15pm
I am not a great fan of Zaid Hamid, but if I be honest, whatever he has said in past interviews criticising the KSA govt is a reflection of more then 50% of Pakistanis thinking. Not sure if he made the speech in Madina or not but since last few days, I have seen people who themselves do not desist from cursing KSA day and night are celebrating Zaid Hamid's arrest by the brutal KSA regime.
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Jul 01, 2015 06:21pm
@Saint Voice
Who says 1000 lashes? these are just rumors.
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Jul 01, 2015 06:38pm
Even though as much as I hate Zaid Hamid, he is still a citizen of our country, and we should protest to Saudi Arabia denying us consular access.
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Jul 01, 2015 06:48pm
This is unacceptable! Saudi Arabia can't just exercise their crappy laws on a foreign visitors. If they had an issue with his statement the only thing they should have done was to have it leave the country right away instead of treating him like hostage and prisoner. Pakistan government should take action and get him out of there - it's not about his action (right or wrong) but taking stance for his national.
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Jul 01, 2015 06:52pm
Zahid Hamid is a patriot and Pakistan should help him. Saudi need to know who they should put in jail and who not. Saudi hob nob with India, which helps Israel against Saudi, Muslim countries, yet this man is put in jail.
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Jul 01, 2015 06:57pm
Real Lion of Pakistan.
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Jul 01, 2015 06:58pm
Didn't he go there soliciting peace, solitude and blessing for the future by divine powers.
I have a feeling, ' It doesn't do what it says on the tin".
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Jul 01, 2015 07:00pm
If SA didn't like his actions they should have canceled his visa and deported him. But sentencing to eight years in jail is injustice
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Jul 01, 2015 07:01pm
For once Zaid Hamid must have done something right for Saudi Arabia to arrest him
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Jul 01, 2015 07:08pm
this is absurd. Saudis have no right to curtail anyone's freedom of criticizing bad policies.
Saudis are not god and whatever they do is not right
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Jul 01, 2015 07:23pm
As an Indian I cant stand Mr Zaid, but this is unacceptable. If he has not committed any crime on Saudi soil how can they arrest him...beats me!
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Jul 01, 2015 07:28pm
Somebody took him seriously??
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Jul 01, 2015 07:30pm
Could not care what Zaid Hamid says or has said or what his views are, at the end of the day he is a Pakistani and i am infuriated that a Camel riding country has arrested our Citizen just on the basis that he said something about the brutal regime. Pathetic!!
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Jul 01, 2015 07:35pm
is this man brainless? How could he even think of visiting a country and criticizing it?
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Jul 01, 2015 07:36pm
He is Pakistani citizen and Government must do utmost to get him released.
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Jul 01, 2015 07:38pm
India allowed him to speak against it at Delhi.I was hurt then.
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Jul 01, 2015 07:46pm
I am waiting to see his reactions about KSA after his release.It would be ultimate...
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Jul 01, 2015 07:49pm
Try arresting a Saudi in Pakistan. Hundreds will rush to Saudi embassy offering help behind the scene to get him released for a fee.
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Jul 01, 2015 07:49pm
If a Saudi criticizes Pakistani govt ...then what happens to that Saudi in Pakistan?
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Jul 01, 2015 07:52pm
The only other person to have done such a thing is perhaps Don Quixote. Zaid Hamid should have known the consequences of abusing the visa limitations and international norms of behaving in a host country. But I hope the Saudi government wiĺl forgive him based on how his views are taken in Pakistan.
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Jul 01, 2015 07:53pm
This is shameful , the Saudis hv no respect for Paks and their harshness and mistakes are growing
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Jul 01, 2015 07:58pm
If this fellow is Pakistani citizen, than why pakistani foreign ministry does not look in to the matter of any required councillor services? If a citizen of other countries, like USA or Uk, or other european countries were in this situation, what approches those countries would have taken? Time to think and do the right thing.
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Jul 01, 2015 08:04pm
Saudis kill our birds in Pakistan and chop our people in Saudia. What else do you expect?
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Jul 01, 2015 08:09pm
"Diplomatic sources had said that Zaid Hamid was arrested last month for making an alleged provocative speech in Madina criticising the Saudi government."
Zaid Hamid should not have done while visiting Saudi Arabia. Zaid you are a visitor there.
Dear King of Saudi Arabia, Zaid Hamid is a GUET of Saudi Arabia. We Muslim do not treat our GUEST the way we are allegedly treating Zaid Hamid. If we do not like some thing about our GUEST we can ask him politely to leave (This is our great custom).
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Jul 01, 2015 08:10pm
Saudi kings lack open mindedness. They come to such a lower level of tactics that it's hard to imagine them as Kings.
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Jul 01, 2015 08:24pm
Pakistan should condemn this act against its defense analysts.
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Jul 01, 2015 08:25pm
Here is a gentleman who got too carried away by his own rhetoric.
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Jul 01, 2015 08:25pm
Saudi Government should stop playing God. Every human being has the basis right to speak freely and criticize anything. He did not commit any crime so he should be freed. The Pakistan government should have some back bone to get its citizen back to Pakistan and warn the Saudis against using their barbaric "laws" when Pakistani citizens are concerned. Saudi is no "brotherly" country until they are able to show civilized behavior
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Jul 01, 2015 08:29pm
why do they capture fisherman? A sheer injustice to Already deprived people....
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Jul 01, 2015 08:31pm
There is no counsellor access for anyone in Saudia. No one should hope for any type of legal assistance in that country. Anyone traveling through that land has to do it on his own risk. I am sure Zaid Hamid was aware of these facts and he deliberately made some speech to get him in the slammer for some special reason.
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Jul 01, 2015 08:40pm
Zaid Hamid is a Paksitani and the Govt must get him back home quickly
KSA should not have given him a visa if they are so scared of him speaking the truth
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Jul 01, 2015 08:41pm
I am curious about what exactly he said about the regime that landed him in hot water.
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Jul 01, 2015 08:45pm
Zaid Hamid could have gone to a western country and abused that country there. This is the beauty of western countries that many immigrants abuse. And poor Mr. Hamid thought that the Saudis would similarly bend over like the westerners and rightly paid the price for abusing the Saudis. I hope people realise democracy and secularism is the way forward and not theocracy.
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Jul 01, 2015 08:54pm
Saudi Arabia jails someone who question regardless of nationality. It is a rotten system. Look what they are doing in Yemen.
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Jul 01, 2015 08:54pm
If I am not wrong once zaid hamid saab visited india too, this is the difference of indian democracy.
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Jul 01, 2015 09:01pm
This guy isn't likable but no one deserves such a punishment for criticizing a government. Our country should do everything possible to bring him home respectably.
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Jul 01, 2015 09:08pm
If only pakistan had more people like Zaid,who is doing a great job by guiding our youth to peace love and harmony within our country by bringing together all from different sects to realise that Pakistan belongs to pakistanis.He does not divide but unites.
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Jul 01, 2015 10:21pm
Army must intervene and secure release of an honorable Pakistani citizen, who has not committed any crime. This is outrageous. Seems like the end of the kingdom is near.
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Jul 01, 2015 10:33pm
Everybody should have a right to lawyer and access to free and fair procecution. Even he or she has done something really wrong. Otherwise he or she is just accused and not proven guilty . Justice denied!
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Jul 01, 2015 10:40pm
He didn't do anything to deserve this treatment. Criticizing a govt is not a crime in any civilized country
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Jul 01, 2015 11:02pm
Regardless of what you thought of ZH views, I would plead to all Pakistanis to use every forum to highlight this injustice. Every Pakistani no matter if he is from left, right or centre of the political spectrum is sacred.
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Jul 01, 2015 11:11pm
He should have been smart enough to understand and follow laws of land. Now he has to pay price.
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Jul 01, 2015 11:25pm
@Uzair Its not about being a Pakistani citizen or citizen of any other country. He broke the laws of Saudi Arabia and thus he was arrested. He should not have forgotten that he was speaking in Saudi and not in Pakistan.
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Jul 01, 2015 11:31pm
Why has SA kidnapped a Pakistani Citizen? ZH is someone famous that we know of...we dont know how many Pakistani's are held hostage there...
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Jul 01, 2015 11:47pm
@Uzair ...why silent on Pakistani's beheading by SA
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Jul 02, 2015 12:37am
ZA is a patriot and speaks bluntly against corruption,looters/rulers and exploiters in the name of democracy.He spoke about how ksa influence other regions for their unnecessary demands.He should be provided consular help and freed ,he is a patriot pakistani regardless of others criticism and reservations he is a true pakistani patriot.
He should be brought back soon,KSA would never have guts to arrest britain or any western citizens as they will pull up the entire KSA administration.
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Jul 02, 2015 12:43am
I have a simple question;
Does Islamic Shariah allows such a punishment for speaking against the government?
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Jul 02, 2015 12:49am
@joy It is call my way or prison
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Jul 02, 2015 12:54am
Watching Pakistan media from Europe, I must say Zahid Hamid Sahib is a true patriotic Pakistani and a great Muslim. Also, Saudis are hatet and despied in the West, who atleast honor human rights in their own countries, exactly for these kind of stories.
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Jul 02, 2015 01:03am
Zaid Hamid must be released. Who the hell are saudis to arrest him just for criticizing them?
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Jul 02, 2015 01:14am
@Hopeful They are only protecting their own sin ful kingdom.just look how they live and what kind of problem they have created? I just wish their rules finishs ASAP. I have no love for Mr. Hamid but no one should be punish just for speaking against a Government. But this guy should have known where he is.
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Jul 02, 2015 01:30am
@Uzair how many Pakistanis work in SA?
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Jul 02, 2015 01:37am
@Uzair yes genius idea
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Jul 02, 2015 01:47am
Saudis don't just allow somebody to enter their country, only to punish him later immediately. He must have been found to have committed crime while in KSA...!
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Jul 02, 2015 02:27am
Zaid Hamid is great warrior ... God help him... Lion's one day of life is better than 100 years of Jackal.
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Jul 02, 2015 02:52am
Never liked the man but detention like this is very excessive
Ignorant Saudis !!
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Jul 02, 2015 02:54am
@Hafiz What difference does it make who is oppressing you as long as you are being oppressed?
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Jul 02, 2015 02:56am
...and they wanted us to fight their war in yemen, yet treat pakistani citizens like this. Our government will be shamed, if they don't get him released and take Saudi to task.
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Jul 02, 2015 03:21am
One thousand lashes are too much for this poor soul. He won't be able to stand few. I request the Pakistani army to go after Saudis and teach them a lesson. How dare they arrested this great supporter of army and a security analyst.
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Jul 02, 2015 03:36am
I think he got employed as a "Royal Jester" in the palace of Sauds and made a bad joke and got sentenced.
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Jul 02, 2015 03:47am
All I can say is that Zaid Hamid picked up a wrong country to express his views.
Saudi Arabia is a vicious dictatorship, where man and women are treated as bondage slaves unless that person happens to be from Royalty.
It is a dangerous place for the visitors, no saner individual should visit this country.
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Jul 02, 2015 04:33am
Shamful...Saudi monarchy needs to go for the betterment of muslims.
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Jul 02, 2015 04:33am
Hope he will learn from this unpleasant experience.
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Jul 02, 2015 04:54am
Saudi Arabia hates Pakistan and Pakistanis the only reason Saudi Arabia is keep dealing with Pakistan is because of Iran and Israel they are threat to Saudi Arabia and SA needs Pakistan military help. I hope Pakistan wakes up and realize that Saudi Arabia is enemy to Pakistan's democracy. Israel is on knee to have good relations with Pakistan.
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Jul 02, 2015 04:59am
Pakistan won't do anything to free Mr hamid, because nawaz sharif is a Saudi stooge and he will do as he is told by the king.
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Jul 02, 2015 05:32am
The fact of the matter is that Aley Saud do not let any one speak even...even against USA and Israel etc. Where are the so-called Human Rights activists and the UN watchdog ? Why no action is taken against Saudis for refusing this right of expression ? And why no word of condemnation or reprimand for refusing consular service to Zaid Hamid ? What are these custodians of two holy mosques upto ? Why are they treated as above all norms and practices ??
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Jul 02, 2015 05:47am
Listened Zaid Hamid in many TV shows always Anti Indian....never liked him...But feeling sad for his arrest n 1000 lashes horrible..He is patriotic pakistani (seems from his aggresive anti Indians debates) so shouldn't be treated like this...Why Pak media not supporting him n pressurising Pak govt to take this matter with SA...
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Jul 02, 2015 06:03am
Saudi will and must release him as he is not a common Pakistani Rafeeq but a Retired General of the same Army who is protecting their Prince and Princess from the Wrath of General Saudi Public. They have to made the choice soon
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Jul 02, 2015 06:08am
That should set his grand illusions about the ummah straight.
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Jul 02, 2015 07:01am
These self proclaimed "Marde Momin" forgot that he is on a foreign territory and any un controlled speech bursts will land him in the jail for long time. Let him be the guest of the Saudis for long time.
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Jul 02, 2015 07:07am
The morale of the story is, poor countries with democracy are better than rich countries with no freedom of expression.
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Jul 02, 2015 07:31am
Mr Zaid Hamid is a true Pakistani, he might have his views that we may not like but the fact that he is a citizen of Pakistan and was apprehended only because of expressing his candid opinion.
He must be recovered from clinches of the Saudi despotic regime that know nothing but there own empire. The silence of the government would do nothing , army should ask there Saudi benefactor and creditors for the release of Mr Zaid, so that he can come home.
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Jul 02, 2015 07:34am
"Diplomatic sources had said that Zaid Hamid was arrested last month for making an alleged provocative speech in Madina criticising the Saudi government".
What was the provocative speech about against the Saudi Government?
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Jul 02, 2015 08:52am
@Aurangzeb Wonder if Hamid would have spoken against govt. anywhere in the world,even usa, britain Israel, he would have been jailed?
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Jul 02, 2015 09:29am
If Saudi Govt only knows what we Pakistanis think of them then half our population will be given lashes treatment. I guess it's a good think they don't.
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Jul 02, 2015 09:31am
Good , let him taste his own medicine of religious bigotry the saudi style.
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Jul 02, 2015 09:46am
I only wish that all the people should first research about now Mr. Zaid Hamid and earlier Zaid Zaman
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Jul 02, 2015 10:11am
Would you like somebody who comes to your house and bad mouth about your house. Whoever the other person is... Same is the case here.. I do agree 8 years is a bit harsh.
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Jul 02, 2015 10:40am
Punishing Zaid Hamid is Pleasing India.
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Jul 02, 2015 11:40am
Pak Govt. is useless. They can't help themselves, so how they will help to Zaid Hamid. Pak Govt. not involve in any issue, because they know they wont get anything. They involve only there where they get some benefits.
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Jul 02, 2015 03:04pm
The Silence of Pakistan Govt shows how much the care of any Pakistani. What a Shame we feel Being a Pakistani when see these kind of things. No official has dare to ask to Saudis.
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Jul 02, 2015 03:18pm
I do not agree with Zaid hamid, but he is a Pakistani and the Saudis owe him respect as such. Saudis will be crying for Pakistani help very soon when ISIS comes smashing through their country.
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Jul 02, 2015 03:19pm
@Ahmed True democracy is way better than Monarchy or theocracy.
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Jul 02, 2015 03:20pm
@Farid Ullah They are for sure.
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Jul 02, 2015 04:01pm
Keep him! We also have many others if you want!
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Jul 02, 2015 04:19pm
After all he is a Pakistani..... We must respect him irrespective of differences we have..... Long live Pakistan
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Jul 02, 2015 05:00pm
The best way to help Zaid Hamid would be to launch a countrywide signature campaign and series of protest rallies for his release. He is a Pakistani whether we like him or not, and we owe this to him and to Pakistan's dignity to protest the barbaric punishment imposed on him. Only this way the Pakistan government may be made to wake up from its slumber and get their citizen released. Our elected reps should also be pressurized to take up this cause. We should also bring this case to the notice of international human rights organizations.
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Jul 02, 2015 05:11pm
@mirza Good!!! I Love this nation called SA
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