WASHINGTON: The US State Department has condemned the overturning of the convictions of four men in the Daniel Pearl kidnapping and murder case, terming it “an affront to victims of terrorism everywhere”.
Alice Wells, the top US diplomat for South Asia, hailed indications that prosecutors intended to appeal the decision.
“Those responsible for Daniel’s heinous kidnapping and murder must face the full measure of justice,” Wells wrote on Twitter.
Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2020
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On DawnNews
Comments (135) Closed
fairplay
Apr 03, 2020 07:37am
agree with Ms. Wells.
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Thomas
Apr 03, 2020 07:46am
Thought you were friends with Sindh government and Sindh HC.
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Fastrack
Apr 03, 2020 07:47am
Please talk to CJ Sindh High Court. Why not try filling a petition?
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Fastrack
Apr 03, 2020 07:47am
Weren't you against capital punishment?
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Fastrack
Apr 03, 2020 07:48am
Slam or wham, things move like that in Sindh.
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Rest
Apr 03, 2020 07:55am
He has already spent 18 years in prison, is it not a punishment.
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Muralidhar
Apr 03, 2020 08:02am
Now you face FATF. You guys hit your own leg as you do always. You need a strong matured leader to run your country.
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Voice OF Reason
Apr 03, 2020 08:04am
There is a reference pending in HSJC against one of the honorable Judge of the bench giving this verdict. Interesting !
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Faif
Apr 03, 2020 08:11am
This is pakistan
Things move like this only
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ABC$
Apr 03, 2020 08:12am
None of these guys should be released,irrespective of whether they were involved in Daniel Pearl's killing or not as they were also involved in terrorist activities.The original sentencing should stand.
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kamal chowkidar
Apr 03, 2020 08:13am
Not only US but the whole world slams verdict in Daniel Pearl case.
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gghh
Apr 03, 2020 08:13am
Someone has to intervene when you don't do what's right.
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Justice
Apr 03, 2020 08:13am
@Fastrack,
Do you even defend this? Isn't Sindh part of Pakistan led by IK? Own it for once..
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naji
Apr 03, 2020 08:14am
Yes, they must be punish. It was heinous crime they have done.
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sikisher
Apr 03, 2020 08:16am
@Fastrack, usa is not against capital punishment
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liaqat Khan
Apr 03, 2020 08:16am
courts are independent like the west
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Thinking
Apr 03, 2020 08:17am
Does the foreign office want to respond or busy with modi and Kashmir
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Jaredlee007
Apr 03, 2020 08:17am
What happened to those in Guantanamo Bay seeking justice? We often ignore issues in our own backyard.
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Amir Indian
Apr 03, 2020 08:17am
@Fastrack, don't worry you'll get 21 Gun Salute
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Justice
Apr 03, 2020 08:17am
@Fastrack,
"Weren't you against capital punishment?"
Little Education: Capital Punishment is in the US Federal code and as well in state laws of half of the states in the union.
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Aamir
Apr 03, 2020 08:22am
What Americans say about Afia sidiqui??
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Fastrack
Apr 03, 2020 08:30am
@Justice,
You said it. Before lecturing others, they should ask 24 US states that have officially stopped it.
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dAANISH
Apr 03, 2020 08:45am
She should respect our court as we are made to respect their courts. Stop being a crying baby when things don't go your way. Respect the law of the land.
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Justice
Apr 03, 2020 08:45am
@Fastrack,
Ms. Wells works for US Federal Govt. State and Federal administrations and laws are independent in US.
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B r chawla
Apr 03, 2020 08:53am
Does not augur well for Pakistan that has been running from pillar to post convincing the world community about its sincerity to eliminate support and sympathy for the terrorists and their outfits. In return it was asking the world bodies to shell out doles and aid. Now with this misplaced verdict it has demonstrated that old habits die hard.
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Sailesh Akkaraju
Apr 03, 2020 08:56am
What else can be expected? In Pakistan, terrorists are strategic resources. They probably thought that everybody had forgotten Daniel Pearl by now. Unfortunately for them, everybody remembers.
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Charlie
Apr 03, 2020 08:56am
It happens in pakistan..
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Daniel
Apr 03, 2020 09:02am
Someone needs to remind her that the brazen murder of a general fighting terrorism, at the international airport of a second country, by her government is an actual "affront to the victims of terrorism everywhere".
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Gan Duimran
Apr 03, 2020 09:02am
This guy was also at one time released due to hijacking hostage crime along with another Masood Azhar, who now even china put on UN most wanted. Wonder why all these illegally released end up in Pakistan to be free?
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Ahsan
Apr 03, 2020 09:03am
@sikisher, about half US state have don't have capital punishment.
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Imtiaz Ali Khan
Apr 03, 2020 09:07am
American wars killed millions of innocent people destroy so many nations. Can you slam the hypocritical behavior as well. No more once sided slamming.
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Nadeem Samad CA
Apr 03, 2020 09:20am
The world will slam us but we have developed inseparable relation with extremists! This is not a secret anymore.
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Mateen
Apr 03, 2020 09:22am
Always remember, he beheaded and got it recorded and was acquitted.
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Ali
Apr 03, 2020 09:23am
@Justice, no point trying to educate these guys. They are brainwashed
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India
Apr 03, 2020 09:24am
Who care
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Kareem
Apr 03, 2020 09:29am
Our court justice Dr. Nisar knowledge of jurisprudence is among the best in the world. The verdict is well researched and thought about.
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Bhaarteey
Apr 03, 2020 09:35am
I am sorry. You can not dictate a country to dispose off its strategic assets.
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GULSHAN OMAR
Apr 03, 2020 09:37am
I remember the the whole episode. I 100% agree with Ms. Alice Wells. It’s a travesty of justice.
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Nitin
Apr 03, 2020 09:42am
I am sure she said more..
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Aslam
Apr 03, 2020 09:43am
Don't blame the courts if the investigation is poor. I know the Justice K.K. Agha is an honest and uncompromising. He has decided the case based on available evidence collected by investigators.
Let's not get carried away by emotions and popular perception. Let's curse the investigation not court decision.
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Thomas
Apr 03, 2020 09:53am
@Muralidhar ,
"Now you face FATF".
Keep wetting your pillow with tears. India's plan in FATF stands punctured. Forever.
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Worried
Apr 03, 2020 09:53am
@Fastrack, letting off the criminals is deplorable. Don't forget a foreign journalist was killed.
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alamgir
Apr 03, 2020 10:03am
to put it in a polite manner, every country is entitled to its opinion however wrong it may be.
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Falcon
Apr 03, 2020 10:04am
How is it any different than Trump pardoning of navy seal who murdered a captive with hunting knife and recorded video.
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Rehmat Ali
Apr 03, 2020 10:21am
Justice denied! no having words to express this verdict.
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khurram
Apr 03, 2020 10:23am
The court has given the verdict. The case is done. Period
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Dr Vikas Jamwal
Apr 03, 2020 10:23am
Good going IK. Well delivered!
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Patriot
Apr 03, 2020 10:25am
This judgement could not have come at a worse time for Pakistan. It should be appealed against as soon as possible.
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kp
Apr 03, 2020 10:25am
No justice to Daniel. sick
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Patriot
Apr 03, 2020 10:26am
Why is the understanding of the law is so different between the high courts and the Supreme Court of Pakistan?
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Talha
Apr 03, 2020 10:27am
@Muralidhar , First find a man to run India, not a maniac.
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Chris Dann
Apr 03, 2020 10:37am
And she is correct.
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Chris Dann
Apr 03, 2020 10:38am
@Rest, whatever he has done against humanity, even 80 years prison stay is less for him.
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Shahzad
Apr 03, 2020 10:52am
Sindh High Court has apprehended him.
We dont allow terrorists to roam free.
To our neighbors who have terrorists in the highest echelons of power.
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Rao
Apr 03, 2020 10:53am
It is time for drone justice
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Baluch
Apr 03, 2020 10:54am
@Ali da Malanga, good joke
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Talat Farooq
Apr 03, 2020 11:01am
@B r chawla, time for you to worry about India s reputation under Adolf Modi a d RSS
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Ikramullah
Apr 03, 2020 11:11am
America should bear in mind that it was court which gave verdict. Thus, they must respect the judicial system of Pakistan. Its internal matter of Pakistan, they have no right to speak in internals matter of Pakistan.
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Fastrack
Apr 03, 2020 11:45am
@Justice,
"Own it for once"
By "owning" you mean keep 600,000 military there for decades? Introduce AFSPA? Kill and wound innocents? I lived much of my life in Karachi, Sindh's capital and we are all die hard patriots, not paid bhakts.
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Sohail
Apr 03, 2020 11:49am
@Patriot, not surprising. Every department here runs contrary to the other department. Poor coordination. That's how it has been and more so since PTI took over. Sad day for Pakistan. If the FATF meeting does take place as scheduled, we are in for a severe backlash. As usual IK and his team are sleeping.
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Zak
Apr 03, 2020 11:49am
@Muralidhar , 'Now you face FATF. You guys hit your own leg as you do always. You need a strong matured leader to run your country.'
How low is your IQ. The Judges in courts give verdict not the leader of the nation. We are a democracy not a fascist country like yours, that's why you will not comprehend.
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Sohail
Apr 03, 2020 11:50am
@Patriot, yes the sleeping government will wake up just before FATF meeting.
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Zak
Apr 03, 2020 11:51am
@Justice, 'Do you even defend this? Isn't Sindh part of Pakistan led by IK? Own it for once.
You are foreigners who are lost about Pakistan. Sind is governed by PPP, case was in court and verdict was by judge. Nothing to do with PM or any party. Pakistan is democratic country not like India a fascist country.
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Zak
Apr 03, 2020 11:53am
@ABC$, why! The greatest injustice is injustice itself. Case is about a specific terrorist act in which these people have been proven not to be involved.
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Zak
Apr 03, 2020 11:56am
Modi was mastermind of Gujarat genocide of Muslims, he got off Scott free. Colonel Rohit a serving Indian army man and Singh a policeman were implicated in 'samjota express', massacres but they were let off Scott free by Indian courts . Fix your own coxide system before commenting on more superior nation like pakistan.
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Zak
Apr 03, 2020 11:57am
Ms Alice Wells, IOK has been under brutal occupation of foreign Indian thug soldiers, with access denied to the world but not a word out of you. Yet you are always quick to comment on individual cases in Pakistan. Why?
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Sam
Apr 03, 2020 11:59am
Wait for US to respond in kind in the next FATF meeting.
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Iran Baloch
Apr 03, 2020 12:25pm
@Mateen ,
he was in custody during murder
it was khalid sheikh mehmood who killed the journalist and is in Gotanamo bay prison
dont confuse 2 different people
he is different person
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Goodfellas
Apr 03, 2020 12:26pm
Corrupt system. Forget about justice... disgrace
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AAZ
Apr 03, 2020 12:30pm
Mr.Pearl was a CIA agent so being kidnapped and murdered was in his job description
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Imtiaz Hunzai (Berlin)
Apr 03, 2020 12:33pm
@Muralidhar , Adolf Modi should be in jail for Gujrat killings
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Pervez
Apr 03, 2020 12:45pm
Equally America must pay for DP'S activities in Pakistan. America is also a state sponsoring terror in Pakistan.
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Haseeb
Apr 03, 2020 12:54pm
Pls dont ask now for WB loan waivers, new loans and IMF aid..
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Ahmy
Apr 03, 2020 01:00pm
@Fastrack, No they weren't. The US itself has capital punishment in its own country. I think you are confusing the Europeans with the Americans.
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Parvez
Apr 03, 2020 01:20pm
....and rightly so.
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R Sultan
Apr 03, 2020 01:32pm
No different to BJP government in India not only freeing Hindu terrorists and murderers but getting them elected to the parliament and felicitating others!
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Desi jat
Apr 03, 2020 01:44pm
@Zak, ask FATF they can explain you better.
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SATT
Apr 03, 2020 01:44pm
Pakistan should take help of US on Kashmir issue.
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M. Emad
Apr 03, 2020 01:45pm
Pakistan higher court should review the Daniel Pearl Case recent verdict.
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RationalBabu
Apr 03, 2020 01:45pm
@Zak, you wouldn’t know what a true democracy is until you have lived under one!
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k k tiwari
Apr 03, 2020 01:45pm
FATF clearance is now more difficult
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Amir Indian
Apr 03, 2020 02:12pm
@Fastrack, Well Done US - I & I with you always.
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Sajjad Memon
Apr 03, 2020 02:16pm
Totally Agree with Wells. They should be tried in military court once and for all.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad
Apr 03, 2020 02:19pm
What did she say about the recent barbaric killings of hundreds of helpless, trifle, weak, feeble and hapless Muslim minority population in the Indian capital city by the fascist and racist R.S.S. and BJP inspired Hindu terrorist gangs?
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Vinita
Apr 03, 2020 03:03pm
@Zak, No one gives any importance to what you say.
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Balraj
Apr 03, 2020 03:07pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, Dig history of Pakistan, about carnage's, you will find unaccounted ones.
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WARRIs
Apr 03, 2020 03:19pm
This is strictly Pakistan’s internal matter..
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kashif
Apr 03, 2020 03:49pm
This is Pakistan's internal matter, the way US traeted Afia Siddiqui they dont have any point in lecturing others..
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Jayant R
Apr 03, 2020 04:28pm
@Fastrack, Beheading of an innocent American journalist Daniel Pearl, that doesnt seem nerves you.
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Mirnal
Apr 03, 2020 04:31pm
@Rest, Was he really in prison for 18 years, it doesnt seem according to pictures.
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Chetan
Apr 03, 2020 04:32pm
@Faif, Then why ask for loan from foreign countries, including the west?
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Bikram
Apr 03, 2020 04:34pm
@liaqat Khan, That's why some of your leaders have escaped abroad to London, UK.
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LgbtqX
Apr 03, 2020 04:47pm
I knew it is coming.
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LgbtqX
Apr 03, 2020 04:50pm
Expect to get grey to black soon.
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imdadali
Apr 03, 2020 05:02pm
right to appeal allow the law
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Mohan
Apr 03, 2020 05:21pm
Does this verdict surprise anybody?
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Temo Shanko
Apr 03, 2020 05:29pm
Very right Ms. Wells
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Moeazze
Apr 03, 2020 05:58pm
Are courts in Pakistan any different than those in other countries?
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Zak
Apr 03, 2020 05:59pm
@Desi jat, '@Zak, ask FATF they can explain you better.'
FATF and Afghan peace go hand in hand. Both coming in Pakistan favour. A bit lonely out there, beyond east of the border.
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Sunny
Apr 03, 2020 06:06pm
@Ali da Malanga, Why didnt your govt do it??
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Dr. Ahmed
Apr 03, 2020 06:18pm
@ABC$, and why is that? you want innocent people to rott in jail?
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Mukhtar Khan
Apr 03, 2020 06:26pm
Raymond Allen Davis is a former United States Army soldier, private security firm employee, and contractor with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). On January 27, 2011, Davis killed two reportedly armed men in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. Although the U.S. government contended that he was protected by diplomatic immunity because of his employment with the U.S. Consulate in Lahore, Davis was jailed and criminally charged by Pakistani authorities with double murder and the illegal possession of a firearm. A car coming to aid Davis killed a third Pakistani man, Ibadur Rahman, in a "hit and run" while speeding on the wrong side of the road.On March 16, 2011, Davis was released after the families of the two killed men were paid $2.4 million in diyya (a form of monetary compensation or blood money). Judges then acquitted him on all charges and Davis immediately departed Pakistan.
Now state department is upset!!!
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freedomofpress
Apr 03, 2020 06:51pm
Kudos to Alice Wells for pointing out the absurdities and shortcomings in Pakistan's judicial system which has a history of questionable decisions. As a journalist, I would hope that Pakistan will bring to justice, without any ifs and buts, the perpetrators and abettors of this horrible killing of a journalist who was diligently doing his job. The convict who is being released is as guilty as the man who committed this terrible crime.
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Brian
Apr 03, 2020 07:03pm
@Fastrack, disgusting fanatic
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Zak1
Apr 03, 2020 07:09pm
@Zak,
Excellent, to the point.
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Zak1
Apr 03, 2020 07:21pm
@Fastrack,
Wells will no dare to file a petition, just criticize only.
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Zak1
Apr 03, 2020 07:29pm
@Rest,
Poor innocent man has spent is youth in prisons, how long he has to suffer, bold brave decision, we pride our justice system to be the best.
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TimetoMovveOn
Apr 03, 2020 07:29pm
@Ikramullah, Perhaps you are true. USA has no right to speak. But they have a right to speak at FATF. And there they will be get you. Also you dont have any right for IMF money either. But you want it dont you? Well who do you think funds IMF? The USA>
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Zak1
Apr 03, 2020 07:31pm
@liaqat Khan,
But west wants court decisions which pleases them only.
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VeryFastTrack
Apr 03, 2020 07:31pm
@Fastrack, yeah but atleast they should have been lifelong imprisonment.
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RAja Raman
Apr 03, 2020 07:49pm
Waste of your time... Ms. Alice.
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Gay Imran Khan
Apr 03, 2020 08:07pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, she said well done, do more
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Yash
Apr 03, 2020 08:25pm
@Zak, Please be careful when you use your adjectives.
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Pakistani
Apr 03, 2020 08:28pm
She is right
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Valiya
Apr 03, 2020 08:41pm
@Aslam , You mean there is no evidence of the killing and Daniel Pearl is not murdered by anyone in Pakistan.
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Voice OF Reason
Apr 03, 2020 08:49pm
Detailed judgment will narrate the reasons for this verdict. It will be an interesting read.
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Mumtaz Ahmed Shah
Apr 03, 2020 08:55pm
Miss wells rightly said “condemned the overturning of the convictions” world slams verdict in Danial Pearl case.(Texas)
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RobbingHoods
Apr 03, 2020 09:54pm
Great decision. Why not these white countries talk about millions of civilians die due to deterimental policies of white countries against brown countries?
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Fareed N
Apr 03, 2020 11:28pm
How ironical , Israeli army shoots to kill Palestinians practically every day yet no one from the US foreign office says a word .
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Truth
Apr 03, 2020 11:28pm
And then Pakistan wants to be out of FATF grey list. Forget about it.
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Abdul Wahab Siddiqui
Apr 03, 2020 11:33pm
It is an honourable court's decision! I think we should all respect it, including Ms. Wells. She can always file an appeal in the Supreme Court.
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N. Rahim, Canada
Apr 04, 2020 12:17am
Those responsible for the murder of the motor bike riders should also face the full measure of Justice.
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The Independent
Apr 04, 2020 12:44am
Agree. Hold the accountable, else they will someday harm you too. It's just the matter of time
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A shah
Apr 04, 2020 12:57am
Get ready to pay a high price
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Ratan bhai
Apr 04, 2020 04:38am
@Falcon, good point let IK. Pardon him then no one questions
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Sam
Apr 04, 2020 06:15am
Did Ms. Wells use the same rhetoric when her president pardoned military people involved in war crimes and unjust killings?
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Zak1
Apr 04, 2020 09:16am
Ignore wells, do not waste time on USA, let innocents run free, show all the power of our fair justice system, have some spine IK.
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khan
Apr 04, 2020 03:01pm
Would Pakistan have been allowed to slam Dr. Afiya's conviction by the Courts in the US and would the foreign ministers assure Pakistan that they would appeal against that verdict????
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Krishnan
Apr 04, 2020 06:02pm
@Nadeem Samad CA, Bitter truth. At least some are aware and ready to own up.
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Praveen
Apr 04, 2020 06:35pm
What we can expect from Papistan govt.
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Kumar(Varanasi)
Apr 04, 2020 07:36pm
Judges were told to do so, what options hapless judges have?
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Equal Justice
Apr 04, 2020 08:17pm
Alice Wells, justice must be applied equally. Till this day there are prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay who have yet to see their day in court! Don't preach what you don't practice!
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Amjad Durrani Engineer USA
Apr 04, 2020 08:23pm
Keeping in view the fact that we still remain on the grey list of FATF, it is an opportune time to show our resolve that terrorism has no space, sympathy or mercy in the domain of the govt. and its people as well. Getting these terrorist to feel the taste of justice they deserve, for planning and executing a very gruesome and brutal killing of an innocent journalist, by cutting his throat with a saw and filming it too, needs to be pursued professionally and with zeal by securing overturning of SHC acquittal decision in the SCP, to the best interest of the country.
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Amjad Durrani Engineer USA
Apr 04, 2020 08:27pm
@Justice, well said. Political expediency like cricket is the favorite sport of these intoxicated PTI lovers........
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imdadali
Apr 04, 2020 11:03pm
next form is available to the victim's family or state which is perusing the case as state is responsible to provide the safety to each and every citizen without any discrimination because it role is like mother of all citizen even those who comes from abroad whose care and safety is the responsibility of the state. Decision by FM Mr. Queshee is positive saying they shall appeal against the decision at higher forum. Reservation by Ms. wells is somewhat genuine but case trial took sufficient time showing due to poor prosecution it could not decrease the grieve the victim peral family, which is shocking and surprised. We are hopefully that next higher court of the country (Pakistan) shall dispose of the case after going through all the prone and cones of the case also.
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