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Nawaz cancels UK visit
Mounting pressure on the Davis affair has forced the PML-N chief to cancel his tour.
Mounting pressure on the Davis affair has forced the PML-N chief to cancel his tour. PHOTO: EPA/FILE
LAHORE: Chief of his own faction of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), Nawaz Sharif on Sunday postponed his scheduled tour to the UK. Sharif was supposed to leave on Monday on a private visit but he cancelled his plans owing to his current engagements.
Sources in the PML-N said that the US has put immense pressure on Nawaz Sharif to relieve the US official involved in the Lahore shootings. The Punjab government is involved in litigation and investigation against US Embassy official Raymond Davis. Party members said that US Ambassador in Pakistan Cameron Munter on Saturday asked Nawaz Sharif to resolve the issue.
They said that Nawaz has held several meetings with seasoned party officials, discussing the matter in depth, adding that Munter told Nawaz that the federal government had assured the ambassador it will not create any hurdles if the Punjab government was ready to facilitate Davis’ release.
Party members said that Nawaz has assigned PML-N office-bearers the task of persuading the family of the dead person to pardon Davis. Nawaz has cancelled all other party activities and is taking a personal interest in the matter, they said.
According to PML-N officials, the federal government has informed foreign diplomats that the Punjab government is responsible for legal procedures against Davis because he committed the crime in Lahore. They said that the Punjab government’s involvement in the Davis issue and the US’ pressure on Nawaz have forced the PML-N chief to cancel his foreign visit.
Religious parties and various factions of the Pakistan Muslim League have started a campaign against Davis and if Nawaz takes a wrong step, he risks losing his popularity. On the other hand if he refuses to cooperate with the US, he could lose his good reputation there, a party official said.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2011.
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Reader Comments (23)
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If all are approaching Mr. Nawaz Sharif for the release of Mr. Raymond Davis then a very big question comes into play: Why not CM of Punjab or Ministry of Foreign Affairs? Is Mr. Nawaz Sharif so much powerful that he can exert pressure on all state institutions? Are there any politics being played on this issue? Is he too much afraid due to the position taken by some religious and political rivals? Why media is playing havoc with this situation when the issue is in the court of Law and on whose pitch is all this issue is being played with? I think the Punjab government is stuck “Between the Devil and the Deep Sea”. The only way out is if the parents of those killed pardon Mr. Raymond with some under the carpet deal. Recommend
how cheap our federal gov is that they said they will release a killler if punjab leaves it…wonder how much pockets of federal gov they have filled…..Recommend
The American should be prosecuted as they have prosecuted our Pakistanis in USA on charges that they were not guilty of. Also, if Nawaz Sharif persuades te family of the murdered one to pardon, he should also be convicted for the same charges. It is a pitty that Federal Govt. has told USA that they are willing to drop the charges if Punjab Govt. does it. What a Pitty!!!Recommend
Isn’t it the same Nawaz Sharif who claims resisting pressure to detonate the nuclear devices. Now he is under pressure again and he postpone’s his UK trip? I wrote 2 days ago that whenever a serious situation arises in Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif is the first to catch a flight to London to look after ailing family members. In this case he should devote his time to his family’s healthy and return when his mind is not clouded any more. Maybe then he would be able to think straight. Even Kaira was wondering yesterday on Sharif’s allegation of they being made a party to Salman Taseer’s death. Chuckle!! Chuckle!! Recommend
Lets see if Nawaz practices what he preaches!!!Recommend
Federal Govt can not raise arms by putting all the responsibility on Provincial govt. Gilani and Zardari will be held responsible if this American is walked away freely. Courts following the normal criminal proceedings and charge this American if guilty. Our Federal govt is a “chuza” so it won’t do nothing. Kudos to Courts and Punjab govt (so far) for doing the right thing.Recommend
The case is in court. I hope judiciary will take stand if politicians fail to do so. Muhammad Khan’s point is quite valid and should be followed.Recommend
Mr. Nawaz Sharif if you are patriotic than never go for this step. Let the judiciary to take action in the case as per justice.
We are living happily in UK because we are all equal and everyone small or big wig has to face the judicial system to get a clean chit.
Pakistanis should pressurize their leaders to have faith on the Judtice System of Pakistan. Else you (Pakistani Nation) will be DEAD.Recommend
If this man has to be freed (which shouldn’t be), then we want Ms. Aafia Siddique in return.Recommend
then Mr. Nawaz is the same as everyone else….how shocking he has more power than the federal government in this matter…Recommend
The decision will decide many things in Pakistan!!Recommend
Pathetic political so-called leadersRecommend
That’s called being between a rock and a hard place. True to our other politicians, Nawaz Sharif too will relent and get Davis released. Recommend
Davis should not be released at any cost. The day Punjab Government will release Davis and hand over to US Government, PML-N will lose its vote bank in the country and then even if America wants, PML-N will never ever be able to win the general elections in Pakistan. All human beings are equal. Had any Pakistani killed an American on US soil, US government would have never released the Pakistani. The time has come for tit for tat. Enough is enough. It is time that US should see how strong Pakistan is.Recommend
Nawaz Sharif, we expect better from you! Please do not let us down. Show the same spine you did when we tested our nuclear bomb.
Be strong and we will all stand beside you – as in the lawerys movement. Recommend
Why the hell does Nawaz keep travelling to the U.K? The Brits should threaten to cancel his visa, he’ll release Davis in the blink of an eye :) And believe you me that is what will eventually happen. The only person who can stand up to this sort of pressure is Imran Khan.Recommend
I predict that pressure will be put on the heirs of deceased to pardon him (for an appropriately large sum, promise of jobs for other family members etc, chalo ho gaya ab jaane do.
If they are offered a million u.s dollars each or more, wont they listen?Recommend
Nawaz Sharif will never let down his country. He will do what is best and yes he has more power than the federal govt. He enjoys popularity. He is the only true leader we have. Recommend
@ if our government releases Davis(or whatever his name is) i will protest on street no matter if i have to stand there alone but i will not remain silent on this. No one has right to kill me n thn claim immunityRecommend
PML-N Punjab Chief Minister M. Shahbaz Sharif, PML-N Punjab Law Minister, Punjab Home Secretary, IG Punjab Police and Lahore Police Chief must resign now, because the PML-N Punjab regime and the Punjab Police have intentionally failed to arrest all murderers of an innocent Pakistani man who died after he was illegally hit by a car of the US Lahore Consulate General on 27-1-2011 in Lahore, Pakistan. It is their official law-enforcement duty to arrest all hit & run killers, but they have deliberately failed to do so.
http://www.insaf.pk/News/tabid/60/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/5637/The-killer-of-Obaid-ur-Rahman-should-be-arrested-immediately-PTI.aspxRecommend
If Pakistan is feeling so much pressure , why not swap Davis with Aafia Sidiquee..Recommend
@syed adeeb
nothing happens to fast as u think …all steps will b taken up by the courts Recommend
Q) Why does he visit UK every few weeks
So much for the .
A) To recount his billions.
And this is what goes by the name of leadership in Pakistan.
No wonder we are in a holeRecommend