US 'deeply concerned' at SHC order to release men charged in Daniel Pearl case
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The US State Department on Friday expressed its reservations after the Sindh High Court (SHC) ordered that the four men charged in journalist Daniel Pearl's abduction and murder case be released immediately, terming their detention illegal.
In a message on Twitter, the state department said it was "deeply concerned" at the Dec 24 ruling of the SHC to release "multiple terrorists responsible for the murder of Daniel Pearl".
"We have been assured that the accused have not been released at this time," the statement added.
It said the department will continue to monitor any developments in the case and will continue to support the Pearl family "through this extremely difficult process" while honouring the legacy of Daniel Pearl as a journalist.
The statement came a day after the SHC struck down a preventive detention order issued by the Sindh government to keep four men behind bars after their convictions by a trial court were set aside around eight months ago in the abduction and murder case of US journalist Daniel Pearl.
The bench also barred the federal and provincial authorities from placing the men under any preventive detention order without prior permission of the SHC. However, their names were placed on the no-fly list and they were also directed to appear before the court whenever summoned.
In April, the high court had acquitted all the appellants of the charges of murder and kidnapping for ransom and only found main accused Ahmed Omar Sheikh guilty of abducting the slain journalist and sentenced him to seven-year imprisonment. However, the sentence had been completed as the convict had already spent around 18 years in detention.
The Supreme Court is hearing the appeals of provincial government and the parents of the slain journalist against the SHC’s order.
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On DawnNews
Comments (137) Closed
Dec 25, 2020 01:04pm
And Muslims are veru upset at Trump's pardon of foiur convicted Blackwater mercenaries who butchered 16 innocent men, women and chidren in Iraq in cold blood in 2007. Trump showed little regard for Muslim lives and in fact rewarded these murderers for a ''job well done."
What goes around, comes around.
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Dec 25, 2020 01:04pm
US should know better, that this is how the current regime has envisioned, a progressive face of Pakistan.
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Dec 25, 2020 01:05pm
......... and the US's concerns are justified.
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Dec 25, 2020 01:06pm
US should concentrate on whats happening with blacks and minorities in US, they were released after due process of law.. SHC should take note against it and regard it as contempt
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Dec 25, 2020 01:07pm
The only reason Ahmed Omar Sheikh is not released is because they can't get away with it or else he would have been released too. Naya Pakistan but same old tricks.
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Dec 25, 2020 01:10pm
I think the US should do what's right. Enough of looking the other way for the sake of so called peace talks.
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Dec 25, 2020 01:17pm
FATF is knocking
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Dec 25, 2020 01:19pm
For one country these are fighters, freedom fighters. For the rest of the world they are terrorist
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Dec 25, 2020 01:21pm
By this time USA should have been aware of Pakistan and it's justice system.
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Dec 25, 2020 01:22pm
Concerned here? What about the pardon of the 4 men who killed 19 innocent Iraqis including a child
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Dec 25, 2020 01:23pm
Pakistan is also deeply concerned how US and UK continue to provide safe haven to wanted criminals from Pakistan.
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Dec 25, 2020 01:23pm
No evidence so rightly released unlike those savages pardoned by Trump on video killing innocent people in Iraq.
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Dec 25, 2020 01:25pm
USA should stop poking its nose into affairs if sovereign nations!!!
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Dec 25, 2020 01:26pm
Some decisions need to take into account national and international security threats - whoever made this decision in the SHC needs to be fired!
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Dec 25, 2020 01:26pm
terrorists for the world are heroes for the land of pure. nothing new here.
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Dec 25, 2020 01:28pm
What a grave, grim, gross, gigantic and great tragedy?
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Dec 25, 2020 01:28pm
Why is US so concerned. If they were following pak judiciary and their focus on fighters even from so many miles away, they should have expected this
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Dec 25, 2020 01:29pm
US can't see through the blackmail strategy used to extort aid.
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Dec 25, 2020 01:29pm
The honourable judges should be now given a bench in foreign office too.
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Dec 25, 2020 01:29pm
Until FATF shows the blacklist card no steps was taken aginst the terrorists like hafeez sayeed. Now because of FATF, some eyewash type steps are taken at least. USA should understand the fundamental procedure how to force Pakistan to act.
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Dec 25, 2020 01:36pm
US concerns are genuine
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Dec 25, 2020 01:41pm
Brother Daniel's family Almighty give you peace and it's painful to see our brother Daniel is not with us we pray with you and love from Pakistan.
Also we pray for millions of innocent souls killed around the world by US wars, millions made homeless, millions whose whole countries have been destroyed by US wars, those who became migrants, US support tyrant regimes in the world. Still that didn't justify to take life of brother Daniel RIP. Prayers for peace again for Daniels beautiful family.
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Dec 25, 2020 01:47pm
Just pass this Buck over to India and put it under carpet.
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Dec 25, 2020 01:51pm
The US should respect Pakistan’s court’s decision just like it expects Pakistan to respect US courts. These men have been freed after due process and found Not Guilty.
Whatever happened to Raymond Davis.
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Dec 25, 2020 01:53pm
After reading this news i have a feeling as if a teacher is watching over pakistan. Be it the justice, army or civilian govt. Pakistan knows it has to do a lot to break these shackles.
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Dec 25, 2020 01:53pm
Shocking decision by the SHC!
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Dec 25, 2020 01:54pm
Shocking decision!
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Dec 25, 2020 01:54pm
Extremism is being supported at state-level now. Reminds anyone of Zia ul Haq? Thanks IK, for taking us back to 1970s. Indeed, your reference to Osama Bin Laden as ‘shaheed’ reflected only what’s inside of your mind. Name one achievement, one. I’ll wait.
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Dec 25, 2020 01:54pm
Exactly .Sindh wished to creat this exact situation. Shame.
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Dec 25, 2020 01:54pm
@Dave, shame on Sindh
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Dec 25, 2020 01:55pm
US is 100% right.
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Dec 25, 2020 01:59pm
Real face of the country.
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Dec 25, 2020 02:00pm
If Daniel Pearl was an israeli citizen, these men would be dead already... i can tell you that for free.
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Dec 25, 2020 02:01pm
What about the U.S. president pardoned 4 black water contractors who are responsible for killing of 17 civilians i Irak 2007? Why arent the state department worried about it??
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Dec 25, 2020 02:01pm
We too were deeply concerned when Raymond Davis was able to go Scott free. Let's not both be hypocrites shall we?
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Dec 25, 2020 02:11pm
It is not possible to get justice in normal way in Pakistan.
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Dec 25, 2020 02:12pm
Can't expect anything better from Pakistan
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Dec 25, 2020 02:13pm
if the case cannot be proven then the accused has to be freed. What about the prisoners in Guatamo Bay? Would they be treated the same way if they were on US soil? And the millions of innocent people killed and bombed by the US and its compatriots? We are also very concerned. So you can pocket your concerns. The ration is about a million to one for now.
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Dec 25, 2020 02:23pm
His journalism was only plea
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Dec 25, 2020 02:26pm
And what about recent pardons granted to US terrorists by Donald Trump?
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Dec 25, 2020 02:27pm
The US should mind its own business. Omar Sheikh has served his term and should be a free man.
(Note: I have been supporting PTI for over 4 years against injustice, inequality, corruption, oppression and nepotism . My party is far more important to me than anything else. Please be aware of fake ID!).
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Dec 25, 2020 02:32pm
Another IK u-turn on way
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Dec 25, 2020 02:35pm
US should mind its own business, in Afia siddiqui, did they do justice. Better they should keep their mouth shut
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Dec 25, 2020 02:42pm
I think US has no honour for our courts. If the accused are guiltless, what the court can do except to release them. Unfortunately, we have also undermined value of the courts that their judgements are often mocked at. Even the judges are dragged out of the courts in a humiliating manner without caring for the sanctity of this sacred entity. The State Department should learn to walk before it runs.
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Dec 25, 2020 02:42pm
USA should use predator drones on this terrorist.
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Dec 25, 2020 02:42pm
So the good Taliban bad Taliban policy is still going strong
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Dec 25, 2020 02:42pm
Pakistan judiciary is very competent and have never failed their profession
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Dec 25, 2020 02:50pm
@atif, your thoughts on pardon given to Sahiwal CTD?
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Dec 25, 2020 02:51pm
Good. US should be concerned.
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Dec 25, 2020 02:51pm
Justice is a joke here in Pakistan.
Public rejoice over the decisions like this, and then the public wonder why Pakistan is in Grey list.
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Dec 25, 2020 02:52pm
No harm in being concerned. Please do.
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Dec 25, 2020 02:52pm
Fastrack is missing.
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Dec 25, 2020 02:53pm
While there must be no leniency in cases of extremists and terrorists, the current US administration has no moral standing to dictate to any nation in matters of such nature. Let the justice system in Pakistan determine the final outcome.
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Dec 25, 2020 03:00pm
@Usman, Siddiqui is a terrorist.
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Dec 25, 2020 03:01pm
terrorist roam free while minorities are killed , this is truth in pakistan
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Dec 25, 2020 03:01pm
@Richard, yes. May be in xmas celebrations.
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Dec 25, 2020 03:02pm
@Ch. Utiapa Kistani, those r condemnable too but as u say, Pakistan isn't as just or civilized as USA
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Dec 25, 2020 03:02pm
Without any US sanctions on Pakistan, it still cannot build the IP gas pipeline. What to talk under sanctions.
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Dec 25, 2020 03:03pm
Same way Pakistan was concerned ,when Afia Siddiqui was sentenced to 86 years by the US cort for having lifted a gun to protect herself ! I guess, every country's court have their own jurisdiction and Judges judicial minds to apply as best under their laws.
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Dec 25, 2020 03:04pm
Any concern about the pardon granted by Doland (DONALD) Trump to the Black Water butchers?
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Dec 25, 2020 03:06pm
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani, supporting terrorist and killers just for sake of PTI political affiliation ?, nice.
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Dec 25, 2020 03:08pm
@Ch. Utiapa Kistani, your thoughts on pardon given to Sahiwal CTD?
Including them Rao Anwar also, as they all are our state assets, so no compromise on them.
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Dec 25, 2020 03:16pm
“Concerns” are being conveyed after 7months of the verdict? Are these “concerns” also embodying a policy shift?
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Dec 25, 2020 03:19pm
Law should prevail.
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Dec 25, 2020 03:22pm
He knew something that no body wanted him to know.
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Dec 25, 2020 03:23pm
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani, dawn really need to stop allowing people to use other people’s names... you’re tone and copying mistakes give it away! Better luck next time!
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Dec 25, 2020 03:23pm
SHC justice should be fired!
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Dec 25, 2020 03:24pm
@Love love, no it’s just incompetent judges sitting in powerful positions!
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Dec 25, 2020 03:24pm
@AGH, yes and cows fly as well!
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Dec 25, 2020 03:29pm
Ok.. what about Donald Trump pardoning Black water killers!!
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Dec 25, 2020 03:39pm
The whole world knows very well that most of the journalists from U.S. operating in foreign lands are CIA agents, facilitators and spies.
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Dec 25, 2020 03:42pm
While the u.s. president pardons Blackwater for killing innocent civilians. Hypocrisy.
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Dec 25, 2020 03:46pm
U Turn time..
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Dec 25, 2020 03:47pm
Pakistani justice - the laughing stock of the civilised world- well done Imran Khan well done
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Dec 25, 2020 03:53pm
@Dr Malaria, Lies this is happening in India not in Pakistan. Pakistanis are peaceful and caring people.
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Dec 25, 2020 04:00pm
A good signal to a new govt in US. Same thing ws done in other ways when IK came to power first time, challenged Donald Trump. Results were to be seen in next 3 yr, destroyed pakistani economy.
Intelligent Indians r laughing silently and simple Indians r more concerned about d course of this govt in that sense how it will come out from d clutch of d fat bellies to take part in a permanent solution for lasting peace in this region.
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Dec 25, 2020 04:07pm
@Dr Malaria, So very true
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Dec 25, 2020 04:08pm
@ym, Pakistan is in FATF not India
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Dec 25, 2020 04:09pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, even then you haveNO right to kill anyone only on basis of a whimsical suspicion.
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Dec 25, 2020 04:09pm
Any Concerns of Iraqi victims who where shut in Baghdad streets ?
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Dec 25, 2020 04:13pm
hypocrisy of the US, while it pardons military contractors that murdered 17 Iraqi civilians and it has the gaul to suggest that the legal process should be countenanced so that the accused spend further time in prison, there are many taking jibes at Pakistan but seem to forget that there is little justice if you're a black American, how many have been wrongly incarcerated for decades. The Pakistani courts need to decide on the evidence not ppp subservience to their masters.
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Dec 25, 2020 04:14pm
@WARRIs, "Any concern about the pardon granted by Doland (DONALD) Trump to the Black Water butchers?"
Reply,
R u challenging US??
How u ever challenged Saudi Arabia? They behead dozens of Pakistani migrants each yr.
Roosevelt dropped N bombs on japan, did thay challenged?? They knew end of roads better stop there.
Oh! U r is not Japanese.
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Dec 25, 2020 04:20pm
Welcome to FATF Black list my dear brothers
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Dec 25, 2020 04:41pm
@Usman, US will keep its mouth shut. In the same time they will open the gates of hell upon pakistan. Get ready for FATF blacklist....
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Dec 25, 2020 04:45pm
Why should USA say it. Only yesterday Trump gave equity to those involved in Iraq prison case where so many people were subjected to inhumane torture and so many of those Iraqis dead. If you have to use law use it both ways.
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Dec 25, 2020 04:52pm
When we can't fight against USA, who are you in front of them
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Dec 25, 2020 04:54pm
Catch and release wont help to get out of FATF list.
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Dec 25, 2020 05:04pm
US already has the murderer Khalid Sheikh in Guantanamo bay. Even US themselves said few time ago that these people are innocent. Why now this propaganda?
Btw , Trump recently pardoned the Blackwater terrorists for killing innocent iraqi civilians. Any justification for this cold blooded murder?
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Dec 25, 2020 05:04pm
Parting salvo from Trump may follow!!
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Dec 25, 2020 05:06pm
Pakistan also concerned about afia sidique in us jail!
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Dec 25, 2020 05:24pm
@Hwh, injustice system you mean ?
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Dec 25, 2020 05:26pm
@Talha Lodhi, actually the UAE /Dubai is presently providing shelter to the biggest traitor and corrupt criminal of Pakistan, that Musharraf chap .
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Dec 25, 2020 05:26pm
@Sid, I fully agree
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Dec 25, 2020 05:27pm
@Hwh, I frankly think it's time Pakistan was placed on the FATF blacklist.
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Dec 25, 2020 05:30pm
@Sameer, no doubt Raymond Davis deserved to be punished for his criminal actions in Pakistan. But surely two wrongs don't make a right ?
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Dec 25, 2020 05:32pm
@Richard, oh no , he's very much there waffling as usual.
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Dec 25, 2020 06:03pm
@Ifti Malik, if an Indian hates Musharaf,that means,I must start liking him from today. Thank you.
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Dec 25, 2020 06:12pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, very nice Salaria
So now you are saying Daniel Pearl was a spy?
Let's say he was a spy - then he should have been tried in the great courts of Pakistan and given a sentence - not been beheaded in the dark by vile characters
any answers to my questions ?
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Dec 25, 2020 06:22pm
@Falcon1, make sure u remember all those fancy words when you suck up to them for kashmir and eat the dirt between their toes for imf money.
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Dec 25, 2020 06:23pm
@Falcon1, thats why fatf comes around every year too. enjoy.
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Dec 25, 2020 06:31pm
Next comes Visa ban!!
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Dec 25, 2020 06:32pm
@WARRIs, How about a entry ban for Pakistanis!!
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Dec 25, 2020 06:36pm
Time for trolls Zak, Fastcrap etc to hide in the woodwork
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Dec 25, 2020 06:44pm
FATF will never blacklist Pakistan. You can note it now. USA can’t lose Pakistan to China and Iran already blacklisted by FATF will create problems for USA in the region. India cannot control the region with China and Pakistan on their borders. Afghanistan is another issue so those people who are dreaming about Pakistan being blacklisted should stop dreaming. Happy Holidays.
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Dec 25, 2020 06:59pm
Instead of reacting angrily or rejecting American statement Pakistanis should also be concerned at this decision considering the disastrous consequences on its already doddering economy if release of terrorists leads to potential FATF blacklist . Fortunately educated thinking is rare in Pakistan and therefore its leaders can get away with blaming India.
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Dec 25, 2020 07:03pm
US should respect out laws.
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Dec 25, 2020 07:27pm
Mr. US you dont have any concern when a US killer Raymon Davis was released from a Pakistani court???
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Dec 25, 2020 07:29pm
Mr. US why dont you have any concern when a US citizen who killed 2 Pakistanis in bright day light was released from a Pakistani court
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Dec 25, 2020 07:30pm
Where is our sense of Justice? Pearl's head was cut off because he was a Jewish American Journalist - someone who had never harmed Pakistan or anyone else. We should be ashamed.
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Dec 25, 2020 08:05pm
This is new Pakistan
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Dec 25, 2020 09:04pm
@Saif Ullah, Whose court? Can you please repeat?
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Dec 25, 2020 10:13pm
We'll see a u turn very soon
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Dec 25, 2020 10:25pm
@Jalal: "FATF will never blacklist Pakistan. You can note it now. USA can’t lose Pakistan to China..."
The other alternative is Pakistan will remain in the grey list...
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Dec 25, 2020 10:32pm
@Saif Ullah, ask this question to the person who got a huge amount of blood money.
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Dec 25, 2020 10:34pm
So now US do not agree with courts and judgments on court. They have been doing extrajudicial killings across the world. If the believe in justice then don’t release political statements and take a legal route.
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Dec 25, 2020 10:38pm
Sanctions on Pakistan in the offing
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Dec 25, 2020 10:38pm
Another U turn from Imran Khan soon.
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Dec 25, 2020 10:50pm
@Khan baba, you cant make one wrong right with another wrong.
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Dec 25, 2020 10:53pm
I don't see a problem with this guy serving his prison sentence and now being freed. He has served his time. This is a lot more tappening in India and USA. In USA, their President freed known murderes and no one is talking about that. In India, shall I say more
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Dec 25, 2020 11:07pm
We in Pakistan took the US court decision on Afia Siddiqui even if we did not agree with that. Similarly Pearl case is a decision of the Pakistani court. What is the problem with US?
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Dec 25, 2020 11:21pm
@Talha Lodhi, True! And Canada.
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Dec 26, 2020 12:48am
@Falcon1, what other Muslims except us in Pakistan have protested trumps move to pardon war criminals like black water contractors?
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Dec 26, 2020 12:52am
I have a suggestion. Send the black water contractors to Iraq to stand trial. Send Dr. Aafia (my heart aches just writing her name) back to Pakistan to stand trial. Then we can send you Daniel Pearls murderers and slaughterers to stand trial in the US. How's that?
Oh we also need Raymond Davies back here.
And no I do not think two wrongs make a right. I am just fed up with corruption dictating justice.
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Dec 26, 2020 01:14am
That’s ironic-they can Pardon convicted US terrorists who killed Iraqi civilians and we can’t release people who se prosecution was questionable!
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Dec 26, 2020 02:52am
Not a good decision by SHC, but USA has no leg to stand on when they are giving clemency to so many convicted criminals who have killed civilians.
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Dec 26, 2020 04:03am
@Dr Iqbal Farmani, Great! You are literally a poor state, aka. a beggar state.
Don't open your hands and mouth for charities, donations and doles, and debt relief. The US can literally bury you with no space to breathe.
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Dec 26, 2020 04:06am
@Richard, She is cleaning utensils, I guess!
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Dec 26, 2020 04:35am
But the question is who will be the next "Daniel Pearl"?.
I am sure something like that may happen when we let things lose.
Not good, Not good!
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Dec 26, 2020 05:21am
@Truth Teller, yeah and the US so progressive!
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Dec 26, 2020 05:24am
Ask USA to release the daughter of Pakistan immediately.
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Dec 26, 2020 05:46am
@Hwh, the US in-justice system, where trump can arbitrarily release convicted violent people !!! is worse.
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Dec 26, 2020 05:48am
@Arun Rao, when there is retaliation they [[Israel and US UK France] scream ‘terrorism’.
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Dec 26, 2020 06:08am
Ahmed Omar Sheikh is Pakistan's asset in Kashmir.
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Dec 26, 2020 06:13am
Doing research; Spying for CIA.
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Dec 26, 2020 06:16am
@Dr Iqbal Farmani, Daniel Pearl was an American and they don't disown their citizens like some people do.
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Dec 26, 2020 07:20am
The Pakistani Govt. must challenge this SINDH HC Decision in the Supreme Court. A murder is a murder and this decision of Sindh HC will put already troubled Pakistan in a more tighter spot. Sacrificing one guy for 220 million Pakistani will be very logical.
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Dec 26, 2020 09:32pm
I have a suggestion. Send the Black Water contractors back to Iraq to stand trial. Send Dr. Aafia (my heart aches just writing her name) back to Pakistan to stand trial. Then we can send you Daniel Pearls murderers and slaughterers to stand trial in the US. How's that?
Oh we also need Raymond Davies back here.
And no I do not think two wrongs make a right. I am just fed up with corruption dictating justice.
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