Punjab

'Federal govt will give diplomatic immunity to Davis'

Shahbaz says Rehman Malik told him govt was going to give Davis immunity; PPP core committee to meet on issue today.

Express February 17, 2011

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday claimed that Interior Minister Rehman Maik told him that the federal government was going to give diplomatic immunity to Raymond Davis, the US consular employee who shot dead two Pakistani men in Lahore.

Shahbaz said that in response, he told the minister that Davis will be taken to court.

The chief minister was talking to the media in Islamabad. He asserted that the federal government should have come out in the open on whether Davis had diplomatic immunity or not on the very first day. He stated that the Punjab government will not compromise on the sovereignty of the country.

Shahbaz questioned what diplomatic duties Davis was carrying out at a busy area of Lahore. He also said a diplomat cannot carry weapons on the streets and kill innocent unarmed civilians.

Decision about immunity

Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Chief Chaudhry Shujahat Hussain said the federal governmnet should decide about diplomatic immunity to Raymond Davis as soon as possible.

In a statement, the PML-Q chief said that the PPP government should show responsibility by taking its decision as per the law.

He also said Raymond Davis can compromise with the grieved families under the Qisas and Diyat Ordinance.

PPP core committee meeting

Members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will hold a meeting in Islamabad today (Thursday) to take a decisive stance on the Raymond Davis issue.

The meeting termed as the PPP core-committee meeting and will be held in the Presidency. Federal Ministers, senior PPP leaders and former core committee members will attend the meeting.

COMMENTS (35)

Midnight Drummer | 13 years ago | Reply @Mastishhk: I think we have moved beyond the question of whether he is part of the diplomatic consulate or embassy and enjoys diplomatic immunity, especially in the light of recent statements by many quarters within the US establishment, including the military and media (New York Times, AP, Guardian and more) who have NOW conceded that he is 'contracted' by the CIA. Associated Press Investigation - Sen. Lindsay Graham inadvertently disclosed on the Senate floor that Davis is an "agent" The theory that the forensic items found in possession may have been 'planted' by the Punjab police can easily be refuted by fingerprint and DNA analysis which would reveal if RD handled these items or not. I'm sure the Punjab police are well aware of this facility. The overwhelming amount of circumstantial evidence is strong enough to make a damning case against RD, that he is someone other than what the US establishment claims him to be. Rather it is the US embassy that has provided ambiguity, muted, contradictory and inconsistent statements with regards to the the status of RD. RD has not explained what he was doing in an area of Lahore that is not within the confines of diplomatic missions. No-one has explained his use of a fake license plate. No-one has explained his use of a Glock pistol (one of the favoured weapons used by the CIA for killings). There has been no inconsistent or contradictory statements by the 40+ witnesses, thus far. The body of one of the slain Pakistanis whom you deem as 'robbers' was found 40 feet away from his motorcycle, shot from behind. If you recall, the initial sketchy reports of the lynching of the two brothers in Sialkot claimed they were robbers and many, many Pakistanis commented that they deserved the punishment due to their attempted robbery However, subsequent investigation led by a retired Justice Malik Kazmi proved that the two brothers were completely innoccent against the allegations levelled against them. Justice Malik relied considerably on circumstantial evidence, public records and CCTV. Now, that the 'cat is out of the bag', they are now trying to spin it with a damage limitation excercise and claiming that RD was part of a mission in tracking the activities of militants in the Punjab area. Million dollar question - who would you rather believe?

Mastishhk | 13 years ago | Reply @ Ebad......There was never a doubt that Raymond Davis enjoyed diplomatic immunity aand that he shot the two people in self defence. The Govt and the Police just to escape the wrath of the people cretaed ambiguity about his status and twisted the facts to paint him as a bood thirsty American. Initial Reports had eye witnesses stating that RD fired in self defense when attemp was made to rob him. Now suddenly everyone including the eyewitnesses and the police have changed tack and are claiming that the firing was unprovoked. They also are making claims of having confiscated sensitive documents and pictures as well as illegal arms and ammunition to bolster their case.Anyone with even an iota of common sense can see through this game.

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Midnight Drummer | 13 years ago | Reply @M. Ahmed: We all know Raymond Allen Davis is important for the US administration. His trial in Pakistan will spill the US beans. No wonder Obama is supporting his case by name. You could be correct. If his trial does go ahead, it might open a Pandora's box. We might discover the real motives of 'certain' American consular staff or contractors currently residing in gated Defence areas of Lahore and whether there is any link between them and the recent spate of bombings in Lahore. Little wonder, the American establishment is tripping over itself in trying to bring him home back quickly. Back in October 2005 after a number of car bombings, Iraqis apprehended two Americans disguised as Arabs trying to detonate a car bomb in a residential neighborhood of western Baghdad. A number of Iraqis apprehended the two Americans disguised in Arab dress as they tried to blow up a booby-trapped car in the middle of a residential area in western Baghdad on Tuesday. Residents of western Baghdad's al-Ghazaliyah district told Quds Press that the people had apprehended the Americans as they left their Caprice car near a residential neighborhood in al-Ghazaliyah on Tuesday afternoon (11 October 2005). Local people found they looked suspicious so they detained the men before they could get away. That was when they discovered that they were Americans and called the Iraqi police. Five minutes after the arrival of the Iraqi police on the scene, a large force of US troops showed up and surrounded the area. They put the two Americans in one of their Humvees and drove away at high speed to the astonishment of the residents of the area. Quds Press spoke by telephone with a member of the al-Ghazaliyah police who confirmed the incident, saying that the two men were non-Arab foreigners but declined to be more precise about their nationality. Quds Press pointed out that about in September 2005, the Iraqi police in the southern Iraqi city of al-Basrah arrested two British mercenaries disguised by wigs and Arab dress. Iraqi sources reported that the Iraqi police were watching the two, and when they tried to approach them they shot two policemen and tried to escape the scene. The Iraqi police chased and captured them, to discover large amount of explosives planted in the car, which apparently was planned to be remotely detonated in the busy market of Basra. A full scale operation led by the SAS was mounted to 'free' the two captives held in a Iraqi prison.

ghulam khan | 13 years ago | Reply But this time the lion has awakened....!

M. Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply Raymond Allen Davis is a murderer and killer. Period. He should be treated as a murderer and killer, No less. No more. Foreign ministry is qualified enough to respond to the immunity issue. What is the PPP core committee upto? Committees set up in Pakistan normally drag issues. Remember Parkinson's law ! We all know Raymond Allen Davis is important for the US administration. His trial in Pakistan will spill the US beans. No wonder Obama is supporting his case by name. Pakistan should negotiate a new code of conduct with the US administration. The carrot and stick policy should get over. USA - the champions of human rights, freedom and democracy, advocating for hopes and dreams of the suffering people of Astonia, Latvia, Lithuania, East Timor soon to side with southern Sudan are now trying to rescue a killer on the pretext of diplomatic immunity. I feel sorry for the Obama administration and their weak moral standing. Thank God ! The drones have stopped coming. Any connection ? This target killing by US must stop for good.

Khalid Rahim | 13 years ago | Reply In case the Punjab Government agrees to the Prime Minister's proposal to solve this issue with the victim's families through Qisas and Diyat would Shahbaz Sharif agree. Assuming he does how much would each family receive and what amount would be demanded by our very ''Hones Benevolent Government.'' Can we ask our Socio-Economic experts how much of the funds that Uncle Sam sends down the pipeline reaches the Middle and the Lower Classes and if they do not have factual figures, could they conjure some to make our heads spin. With the kind of species at the helm of internal and external affairs how can any sane person be optimistic about the political survival of this state to end of 2013. Lets stop experimenting with the idea of giving this government time to complete her tenure, And demand mid term elections on the same basis as was conducted by General (R) Waheed Kakar with an Interim President and PM for 180 days.

Ebad | 13 years ago | Reply @Mastishhk: The first thing is that their is no Diplomatic immunity for someone who Murdered two people, and caught red handed with an illegal weapon and wrong License plate on his car. I think you people as citizen of any country must understand that immunity means exemption from Challans like Parking Tickets or any thing that a Diplomat does unknowingly according to local laws. Because they are outsiders so they are given immunity, but what immunity on murder and some who is not even a diplomat. Diplomat definition is my friend is someone who represents his/her country at different level promoting friendly activities between two countries. Davis Raymond is a staff member and does not enjoy immunity. Commonsense is many Pakistani work in all Embassies in Pakistan, if they commit a crime they are criminal so as Davis

Ebad | 13 years ago | Reply @Imran: he is not in favour of immunity, Zardari is and our underdog Prime Minister is, Shah Mehmood was quite because he was in Prime Minister Cabinet so will do according to Prime Minister order to keep quite on the matter. Now he is no more of Prime Minister Cabinet so he is free to talk on the issue responsible and he did and other official are also talking about it. Shahbaz is in favour of his death sentence. Only federal government has authority to give immunity and come on immunity is in case of challans, (honest mistakes) or any thing other then serious crimes like murder, torture or rape. This is rubbish played on behalf of federal government. Murderer has no Immunity. Even diplomat cant get away and he is a secretary to the US High commissioner with illegal weapon and car with wrong License plate. Davis Raymond should be charged with Foreign Espionage Mission with CIA as a main interest holder.

Pakistani | 13 years ago | Reply A survey was carried out by wasiington post,the Pakistani nation is the most disliked nation by the common american...reason bombings at home and international all involved are somehow linked with Pakistan...and the bad news is that we don't see it stoping any time soon...the way current govt.is administrating pakistan I feel we will be black listed through out the world...

Mastishhk | 13 years ago | Reply @Neha Khan.....Its not only the current version of PPP..the earlier versions were equally inept , incompetent and corrupt. Raymond Davis is going home to USA . Theres not much Pakistan can do about it because he is covered by diplomatic immunity. The Govt is responsible for the present day confusion and mess regarding the case because it mislead the public regarding his diplomatic status..

Neha Khan | 13 years ago | Reply @ M Ikram Niazi I think the current PPP does not care about anyone. What makes you think they care about Benazir or her murder?? The present version of PPP is a shame for this country and even to itself. As far as the Punjab government is concerned they are simply playing politics on it with the Federal government. They are as gutless, if not more, as the government at the centre.

Cautious | 13 years ago | Reply The only people Pakistan can give Diplomatic immunity to is their own diplomats - you guys need to spend less time in your Madrassah's and more time in a modern library.

The Devil | 13 years ago | Reply Lol I laugh at the dual standards of the Pakistanis as a whole. On one extreme they talk about taking a firm stance and maintaing the rule of law crap. And the same people wont pay their taxes, will run on red lights, and if stopped by the seargent will beg like anything to let go. The Raiwindies are trying their best to gain political lead due to this case. Well one thing is for sure federal or provincial, politicians, bureucrats,professionals,teachers, lawyers, doctors... Everyone is for sale it they get the right price!!!

IqbalButt | 13 years ago | Reply The PML-N government should initiate a long march against the release of the Raymond Davis

assad | 13 years ago | Reply wen he can see so many dollars coming y would he not take it ..but i have noticed 1 thing...wen ever he talks about sum thing it always turns out 2 b opposite..target killiing is an example

abdul | 13 years ago | Reply Either give the man dip emunity or send him to the gallows but pls move on there are zillion more issues that the rulers need to address they just need one scapegoat issue to drag it to death so there days of rule shall pass by more easily wake up and snap out of davis issue! !!!

M Bilal | 13 years ago | Reply It has to be this way, only a matter of time. PPP doesn't have guts to hold Raymond any longer.

MAD | 13 years ago | Reply Shah Mahmood Qureshi ahs pretty much hung them out to dry in his press conference yesterday. everyone else is now jumping on the bandwagon. damned if you do; damned if you dont.

saleem muhammad | 13 years ago | Reply Look. Taliban, MMA, Military, PML(N), Media all want Davis to be hanged. They are all the same. Bravo to PPP, which did not play at the hands of establishment, at least till now!

Abdur Rauf Yousafzai | 13 years ago | Reply after all these, if the victims family forgive Raymond Davis then what will be our stance? No need to make it a journalism or politics piece of cake.

parvez | 13 years ago | Reply For once the Americans are on the back foot and our government is so inept that they don't know how to handle this.

discostu | 13 years ago | Reply This is beyond retarded now. The PPP core committee is going to decide whether he has immunity or not. Its pretty straight forward, look at the facts. You don't need committees formed of fake degree holders to ascertain the facts. This is going to be a decision based on how much will the American stick hurt if we make them angry.

Sayed Aasim Jawaid Siddiqui | 13 years ago | Reply Immunity or no Immunity...........He is going Scott Free.........That's for sure.....and Kerry gave the message Loud and Clear.........

Blithe | 13 years ago | Reply Everone is getting extremely sick of Rehman Malik and his shenanigans. The NRO brokered politicians - we have had enough of them!

KK | 13 years ago | Reply PPP is in hot waters!

Imran | 13 years ago | Reply Punjab Government wanted to play dirty politics, and this whole thing is going to backfire on it. So far PMLN has been saying one thing to the people of pakistan and another thing to the US officials. If the federal government leaves it to the Punjab government and the courts, PMLN will have hard time pleasing both at the same time. An interesting twist would be, if the President dissolves the NA, and PMLN is asked to form the next govt.

Imran | 13 years ago | Reply Shahbaz Sharif's attitude is totally negative. "You wanted to give him immunity, You didn't know it, only I do."

Faisal Awan | 13 years ago | Reply First Taliban don't have the expertise and resources to carry out such attacks in Lahore and secondly, technically Rawalpindi/Islamabad have to be prime target of Taliban and are located 2-3 hour from Taliban hit areas, but Lahore is more than 6-7 hours away from them. things are very clear to people of Lahore and they will not allow any international play game in their city Pakistani should restrict activities of US Consulate in Lahore and Peshawar.

ashok sai | 13 years ago | Reply make hay while the sun shines !!!

shaharyar | 13 years ago | Reply Before reading any news unfortunately we have to screen whether it is news or views of journalist for agradise own agenda. Reader are generally kept in drark with half truth. There is no mention when, where and why Rehman Malik stated his contention while stated position of President and Prime Minister and PPP is otherwise. To make the story credible in the eyes of readers please take care to mention all links of the story.

M.AKRAM NIAZI | 13 years ago | Reply For PPP only Benazir and Bhutto were murdered while all other people killed in genocide of East Pakistan, Afghanistan and FATA are like insects and animals.

Sarah khan | 13 years ago | Reply Either give the man dip emunity or send him to the gallows but pls move on there are zillion more issues that the stupid rulers need to address they just need one scapegoat issue to drag it to death so there days of rule shall pass by more easily wake up and snap out of davis issue! !!!

Mastishhk | 13 years ago | Reply Tell us sumthing we don't know !!!

SK | 13 years ago | Reply This hot potato issue has again shown the real face of all these so called leaders- every one of these leaders is trying to push decision to other- unfortunately biggest losers are sitting on most critical seats at the federal level so we can't expect anything good coming out of their side. We the people of Pakistan have lost any and all the hope from any of the current leadership and that involves everyone from Karachi to Kyber- world is treating us worse than insects and for their own vested interests and with brains like peanuts these political, military, bureaucratic (etc) leaders have only aided the world in mauling us. Shame on these leaders and shame on us to elect them time and time again!!!

saad | 13 years ago | Reply whatelse can v expect from rehman malik

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