Bin Laden informant: Dr Shakil Afridi sentenced to 33 years
Afridi, who was sacked as a government doctor two months ago, was found guilty under the tribal justice system in Khyber district, part of Pakistan’s semi-autonomous tribal belt.
In addition to his jail sentence, he was fined Rs320,000. The doctor had worked for years as a surgeon in lawless Khyber, part of the Taliban and al Qaeda infested tribal belt.
Afridi was not present in the court and not given a chance to defend himself, officials said. Under the tribal system, he would not have had access to a lawyer.
“He has been sentenced for 33 years on treason charges and has been moved to Peshawar central jail after the verdict was announced by the local court,” said Mohammad Siddiq, spokesman for the administrative head of Khyber.
Afridi’s trial took place over several days under assistant political agent Nasir Khan in Khyber. The verdict was confirmed by his boss, the political agent, in the northwestern city of Peshawar on Wednesday, the officials told AFP.
Under Pakistan’s tribal justice system, Afridi has the right to appeal.
Critics said Wednesday that he should not have been tried under tribal law in the tribal belt for an alleged crime that took place outside their jurisdiction.
He was sentenced under the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) clauses related to offences against the state, conspiracy, or attempt to wage war against Pakistan, concealing with intent designs to wage war against the state and on charges of working against the country's sovereignty, a Khyber administration official said.
In January, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta confirmed Afridi had aided US intelligence by collecting DNA to verify Bin Laden’s presence, and expressed concern about Pakistan’s treatment of him.
Seventeen other health officials, who worked on the same fake vaccination program set up by the CIA in a bid to confirm the al Qaeda chief was living in Abbottabad, have already been sacked from their government posts.
COMMENTS (178)
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Some good points raised by Glenn Greenwald on this issue - http://www.salon.com/2012/05/26/theimperialmind/
http://www.salon.com/2012/05/26/theimperialmind/
@Ahmad Khan: Excellent article. You only got one thing wrong. You suggested the Pakistan justice system is similar to the American system. It is my view that the American system is much harsher than Pakistan's, and has a total lack of moral values. One can only shudder at the thought of being tried in the American justice system.
The good doctor was giving fake injections to children at the behest of a foreign government. People calling him a patriot forget that he was as clueless about who was in that compound as the rest of us. He was merely a pawn, a gun for hire. In justice, unlike Hollywood the end does not justify the means. Calling for his release is akin to saying that a criminal should be pardoned because he accidentally killed another criminal and hence saved the world. There is also a moral hazard involved here, the Pakistani state cannot allow its citizens to collaborate with foreign intelligence and get away with it. No country would ever allow that! Similar to the Pakistani government, the US justice department is meting out similar punishment (life imprisonment) to its own citizen Bradley Manning for exposing war crimes via Wikileaks.
@Faraz:
Yes sure. And he was sentenced based on a law that does not apply to Pakistan, by a court that has no legal jurisdiction in Pakistan and was not allowed a lawyer. Besides that all was good and propoer
for once an example should be made
@A2Z:
What court. The man was not sentenced according to the law of the land. Of wait FATA laws supersede those of Pakistan in Peshawar. Sorry, carry on
@Syed Ali Raza Abidi:
He was not hiding a killer of Muslims and Pakistanis in the army's back yard. Learn to identify your friends from your enemies
@Saleem: I am sure that you are using US' language in this regard and would you like to explain that do you have any solid and authentic evidences against Osama Bin Ladin for his involvement in the any terrorist attacks' drama plotted by US' officials?
@Peace On Earth: Dear Peace On Earth, There is a good chance that you are American, because you are rude. However, there is an opportunity for you to make good. I thought Muhammad Yaqub wrote an excellent and accurate article. His English is good and it is obvious that he can read very well. If you have any evidence that he cannot read, that he has his facts mixed up, and has presented untruths, perhaps you could explain just where he went wrong? .
@ Muhammad Yaqub: You make absolutely NO sense whatsoever! Please, learn how to read because you are mixing facts (some which are not true) and painting a conspiracy theory picture which isn't even remotely true.
@Muhammad Yaqub: Excellent comment. It is good to read something which is succinct, logical, and spells out accurately what undoubtedly happened before, during and after the Abbottabad incident. Further, mentioning 9/11 in a deprecating manner was a distinct touch. Good work
Traitor because he worked for a foreign Spy Agency.!! He sold his soul for money !! No Osama was not there in Abbottabad. This was a fake like 9/11. One bullet Mark in the building after the attack that night !! Then the so called Navy Seals who killed Osama, so to say, were all killed a few days later in a Helicopter Crash in Afghanistan !! Wow !! How dumb and foolish can one be!!
@Sarmad Hassan: @AMK: What Afridi did was inform the Americans where a foreign national, accused and sought for terrorism, was hiding in Pakistan.
But if you still claim that Shakil Afridi betrayed Pakistan than you are also claiming that Osama bin Laden was an agent of the Pakistani government. If this is the case, then terrorism against the US is official Pakistani policy.
Well done Pakistan. They have at last found a scapegoat to please its people. " Helping the Americans to find Osama " . That is the charge. Who is Osama ????? In the Pakistani context. If helping him is a crime punishable by jail, then Osama's status has to be revealed. Was he a Pakistani national, was he a state guest , what was he ?????? What about all the other help given to the US in this regard all these years in terms of handing over Al quaida terrorists for bounties ??????? Heads of state have benefited from these schemes, read Musharraf. What a load of hypocrisy this is, perpetrated by the courts of Pakistan, the last bastions of Democratic rule.
The International Forum and various agencies will bestow too many rewards and awards and would be declared a HERO against terrorism.
In real sense and actually Dr. Shakeel Afridi deserves death sentence according to his this crime.33 years' imprisonment ain't good enough for him.
The name of Dr. Afirdi will be written in golden in Pashtun history. He exposed munafiqeen. In doind so he has done great service to Pahtuns on both sides of Durand line. It will be tragedy that the lone super power of the world is unable to side with those Pashtun who want peace not only their motherland but in the whole world. It is time for US to support young, progressive, peace loving Pashtuns & Baloch instead of supporting armies of terrorists.
@Naseer: What did you expect from Senator McCain? It really is the pot calling the kettle black. The U.S. arrest people, and place them in torture camps around the world. Many people have been held in Guantanamo Bay detention centre for over ten years now without trial. Belatedly, the American Government is attempting to try so-called 9/11 terrorists in a military court because they know a civilian court would not give the result they want.. Although the Pakistan courts decision in regard to Dr. Afridi does not, on the face of it, appear safe, there can be no argument that he broke the law, and at least he has had a trial. Also, is Pakistan any worse than America when it comes to making questionable decisions? Whatever happens, I do not think there will be too many Pakistani doctors running fake vaccination programs as a cover up for foreign intelligence gathering, from now on.
Wow Al-Qaida justice system is really swift ! No jury, no public trial and 33 year imprisonment for helping capture someone which the Pakistan state claims was trying to capture ! Wow !
Dr Afridi did the right thing in the wrong manner. Deserved the punishment.
@Naseer: Oh you means you as in Pakistanis - I am an Indian. But no hard feelings. I sincerely hope you get "love and respect" from the whole world - which I much warn you will only happen after you change your policies and way of looking at the world.
Yes he should have informed the Pakistani authorities so that Bin Laden could have disappeared in time!
P.S. Depending of course on whether it WAS Bin Laden or not lol
So given information about the terrorist has become a crime in Pakistan!??? Free judiciary or Mullah Judiciary??
Dr Afridi deserves Nishan e Haider it is those who kept the terrorists in pakistan who should be hanged
@Hammad: Are you talking about the terrorist Amerikans? If that's the case, you should be corrected, they haven't killed thousands but millions more like 16 MILLION around the world.
@Saleem: I believe that in the US, that would be aiding and abetting the enemy. He's lucky he's in Pakistan, the US would have droned him and his entire family to pieces. Serves him right for being such a snitch. I'm willing to bet he'll think again before doing it again...not that he'll have another chance, of course.
LOL! That ought to teach him that Amerikans are not your friends. Hard lesson to learn but he's got no one but himself to blame.
@Jat: Just as I anticipated and predicted the Americans have reacted sharply. Statements from White House and three senior senators including McCain the Republican presidential candidate from last elections.
What else did you expect? Have you ever wondered why the whole world LOVES and RESPECT us so much ;-)
When is US releasing Pollard?
"Afridi was not present in the court and not given a chance to defend himself, officials said. Under the tribal system, he would not have had access to a lawyer."
Tribal Judicial system does not allow access to Lawyer.Dr Afridi not given opportunity to defend himself. . This is not justice..
This is injustice and foolish of Pakistan.
Shame!
It doesn't reflect well on Pakistan.
Moreover, knowing the fate of this guy, many would be discouraged from reporting about other bad guys, even those hurting Pakistan also.
"Afridi was not present in the court and not given a chance to defend himself, officials said. Under the tribal system, he would not have had access to a lawyer."
Afridi was not given an opportunity to defend himself. This raises a question mark on the tribal Judicial system of Khyber Pakhtunwh. Pakistan. Unfortunate situation.
@Sarmad Hassan:
"There will be several comments here supporting this guy. While one can have serious reservations on OBL living in Abbotabad. IMHO, this guy acted against the law and was a traitor under all definitions possible. Deserved it !"
What law did he violate and why is he traitor? For helping kill Osama, a global terrorist, whose presence in Pakistan was denied by the Pak establishment? It seems the real traitors are the army/ISI who hid Osama and other top terrorists in Pakistan for so long. Is it in the interest of Pakistanis to harbor, nurture and hide global terrorists?
Just as I anticipated and predicted the Americans have reacted sharply. Statements from White House and three senior senators including McCain the Republican presidential candidate from last elections.
Wait.. Did he already recieve the Bounty for OBL information from US?
@T Khan: Pakistan is a third world country and bordered 4 countries Ask american if they had secure Mexico border any body can hide in pak easily its more easy when u have money and manpower to help and protect a mexcian can hide easily in Us then a Person from southasia as he can mix on other side .
Try to enter some body house in KP or Baluchistan you will get u answer.
What? Under the Tribal Justice system? FCR? How about our top servicemen who have handed over hundreds of Al-Qaida members to USA? If this is treason, then I must say that our army and ISI top brass have been involved in far greater treasonous acts.
Any hope of a civilized society in Pakistan is diminishing rapidly. Forget about rest of the world, we are on the path of self destruction because of our egotistical institutions. May Allah show us the right path (Amen).
@Babloo: Dont be Show sharp he is sentenced and currently in jail he was given death penalty hold (ask HRW if they want qadri to be hanged ). Any country would have hanged afridi even in Swaziland come up with legal argument nut No body have proved any involvement of state or any institution.
@Gul Khan Momand: "He has been punished not because he verified Bin Laden’s presence, but because he ran a fake polio campaign and collected DNA for which he was not authorized.
"
What you stated woudl be reasonable. But the reason he is being sentenced is that he is a 'traitor' NOT because he ran a false polio campaign. The question is how does giving details to CIA about Obama Bin Laden amount to treason - unless ofcourse Pakistan was actually protecting him?
all people who are calling him traitor, can you please clarify?
The real traitors are those who were sheltering Bin Laden.
Give him a shield of acknowledgment and Rs 1 million as award for helping the world in catching Mr. Laden, then give him sentence for acting against the will of the Government of Pakistan.
@Babloo: I honestly think you are asking the right questions. Good to know there are other like me still lingering about.
Shameless we are... Truely shameless..... Why should he be sentenced for the imcompetence of the corrupt government that didn't want OBL to be found in the first place. If anyone's to be blamed for bringing shame and humiliation to Pakisani nation, its the government for the ppl, by the ppl, the vast majority of the shameless ppl including the ones who are commenting in the favor of the sentence. And for the ones who think that this guy could have come forward with this formation to the agencies or media.... Well hello.... Open your minds... Who was hiding him there in the first place.... And media?? Who controls the media... The agencies, obviously.
@Hella: You are truly blessed.
Can any Pakistani Patriot explain, how the Judiciary in Pakistan always ends up convicting a Bhutto, a Sharif and a Dr Shakil but never a Malik Ishaq or a Hafiz Saeed or any terrorist for that matter.
And then you guys protest that the world is being unfair yo you.
Dr Saab may be zero in Pakistan but he is a hero in every other country in the world. This is a fact.
How could it be called treason? Was OBL a Pakistani citizen? Did he have a valid Pakistani Visa/Residence permit? I would report it 100 times to Americans or anybody who could help me to get rid of terrorists to save my innocent people. Dr. Shakeel Afridi you're my hero.
Zeta,
That doesn't make sense.
Firstly, USA is not a 'hostile' foreign power. As far as our foreign office is concerned, it's an ally. Maybe not the best ally, but certainly not a hostile force.
Also, Pakistan had promised to deliver OBL to the Americans. If Dr. Afridi had informed the Pakistani forces about OBL's hideout, they still would've forwarded the information to the Americans anyway according to their deal, so either way, we would've achieved the same goal. At most he could've been reprimanded for not following the proper protocol, but treason, absolutely not.
By common sense, the only reason Pakistan would object to Afridi informing the Americans directly, is if the Pakistani forces never meant to keep their promise and were intending to keep the information hidden from the Americans.
By punishing Afridi, Pakistan has indirectly admitted that the operation that killed the world's most wanted terrorist was against its national interest, and they never really intended to deliver OBL to America, as originally promised.
take care guys ,,, most of the comments are from indians....
He's a history writer, I assure you he will be awarded after his death....after all we are Muslims and Pakistani as well, who think 100 years later. Terrorists captors are enemies of Pakistani? Are you kidding me?
What century are we living in, this guy (traitor or not) didn't even have access to a lawyer. I'm sick of reading comments such as "oh now the liberals and seculars will start bashing" (mentioned by A2Z, weird name that). It's not about being liberal or secular. Its about providing justice with impartiality. But wait, tribal courts hand down sentences without any evidence, without any arguments, without any defense lawyers, the tribal courts should then be used for all our leaders. Lets see how many of them make it out of it. Since we all know already that the Supreme Court is extremely incompetent, hands out verdicts that contradict themselves and are unclear. Imprisons a sitting Prime Minister inside the court for a few minutes, only to cause a political turmoil once he walks out. Either way, this guy was not provided a fair trial, maybe he knew too much so they had to put him away.
If you cant catch the Big Fish eliminate the small ones. One year since the whole country was embarrassed worldwide, not a word on the actual culprits who aided Bin-Laden while this guy gets 33 years. Amazing..!! So at the end of the day our Ghairat forces us to remain focused on how this guy embarrassed the armed forces while totally overlooking the incompetence which was the prime factor in bring us this shame.
Major chunk of Pakistan's budget (over the last 6 decades) and you exhibit such stellar performance. We salute your dedication good sirs. You deserve all the commercial plots and chauffeur driven vehicles that this poor country bestows upon you dear lords. We were born to serve you; and your honor is more dear to us than our own lives. While the brave sons of this poor nation continue to be cannon fodder to your stupid decisions as they fight an enemy which you will eventually embrace, your own children enjoy the luxury of studying and living abroad. How many of you have sent your own flesh and blood to Kargil or Afghanistan.? While your children attend the Beacons, Cities and Aitchisons the children of the poor experience the horrors of Dark Madrassas and even Darker Mullahs. And then when they take their revenge it is the omnipresent Foreign hand and not our incompetence and ignorance that is to blame. May you live Long and continue to rule over us till eternity.
Your Humble Servants, The People of Pakistan.
Dr. Shakil derseve reward rather than punishment. Pakistani youth are fed up with the Mullah influenced law and security forces of Pakistan.
Hahahahahaha,,Afridi will soon be flying to the US
I think most people are missing the point. If Dr. Shakil Adfidi had carried out an exercise like this in any other country he would have received similar punishment. I disagree with many government decisions, but have the sense to know that laws must be obeyed. For example, some taxation laws are quite unfair, but I still pay the tax. In Doctor Afridi's case one does not have to be an intellectual giant to know that being an informant and giving secret information to another foreign power is illegal. Some would argue that if Pakistan had been given the information they would have ignored it. This is doubtful, but the bottom line is that the Doctor was a U.S. intelligence agent, working for the CIA, and he conspired with them to create a situation which undermined Pakistan credibility, as well as embarrassing the Government, and failing to advise it that he knew the whereabouts of Pakistan's number one enemy. On an aside, I wonder if the Pakistan Authorities found any trace of Osama bin Laden's DNA in the Abbottabad House before they pulled it down, and was it used in the court trial?.
Ridiculous. Most wanted terrorists and killers of young men brainwashed into killing hundreds of average Paksitanis in mosques and marketplaces are given a warm welcome in the wild west we have become. Convicted killers and incitors of violence are roaming about freely and our biggest problem is with someone giving up the whereabouts of one of the biggest terrorists in the world. How stupid is that?
"He was sentenced under the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) clauses related to offences against the state, conspiracy, or attempt to wage war against Pakistan, concealing with intent designs to wage war against the state and on charges of working against the country’s sovereignty, a Khyber administration official said."
What should one make of this? Exposing a fugitive criminal was a crime against the state, conspiracy, and attempt to wage war------------.
I arrest my case. I am just stunned and my mind is spinning full circle. May higher authority help Pakistan, teach it wisdom, respect for human rights, and all those things associated with human decency.
SHAME! That’s call micky mouse judiciary system :- ).
No wonder why extremist goes unpunished in Pakistan because Judiciary system is so much influenced by extremist elements.
Why this time chief justice didn’t take a notice of it…sheer injustice.
not right
Dont worry traitor Shakil your american sanctuaries will soon run for your cover,In Pakistan even killers like raymond davis are deported unharmed to U.S whereas you were just an informant.Now spend your dollars you earned from CIA in jail for lifetime
@Loneliberal PK: HE should have helped Pakistan track him and not the foreign hostile intelligence agency. That makes him traitor even if the cause was just.
Well deserved punishment
Express Tribune is biased. It doesnot give adequate coverage to Afghan Perspective.
You promise the United States to help find Osama Bin Laden. And you punish the Pakistani who actually fulfilled that promise.
A free candy bar to whoever can tell me why America doesn't trust Pakistan. Anyone?
You guys commenting that he deserved more are incredible! OBL was the biggest terrorist in the world and lets not forget the thousands that have been slaughtered by terrorists and extremists organizations under his command (or followers of his messages)!
Dr. Afridi does not deserve to go to prison; his information led to the demise of one of the biggest culprits in the world!
Those of you saying he should've told someone in the media or the government? Are you serious? Chances are someone who is a mole or connected to OBL would've told him and he would have ran away.
Simply unbelievable at these comments!
Good job Pakistan keep up the Good work.
Our government had a fat chance here for saving face by making Dr. Afridi a hero for helping to get rid of the world's biggest terrorist from Pakistan. Instead, he is given a 33 year sentence. Doesn't this mean that the Pakistani authorities were (at the very least) complicit?
Jonathan Pollard (israeli spy in US sentenced to life imprisonment for spying) of Pakistan in most gentle words
@Aryabhat: he is sentenced because he collaborated with agencies of another country.
@Babloo: sou r suggesting proceedings of all cases shud be suspended till salman taseer's case???
Forget OBL, he also bought disgrace to the vacinnation process, which allready recieves enough flak is.
Did he acted alone. What about his other accomplices.
If that person is sentenced to 33 years than President of Pakistan should also be awarded 33 years coz he immediately after the raid phone Obama to congrats him.
The whole world should be united this unjust decision, world is a safer place because of this guy. I'm quite sure most of the civilised world disapprove this wild decision. It might send a signal to the USA, not to expect any help from locals.
@Pakistani: If Usama was dead for years then this poor doctor who did he inform about? was it the sheiks family?? Common guys Think straight If you are convicting Dr Afridi for informing CIA about Usama then accept that Usama was killed in Abottabad in 2011 may if not then why is this poor doctor being punished what was his crime was it because he fooled CIA and americans by telling them that Usama Lived there? make up your mind
The Constitution of Pakistan defines treason as 6. High treason. [4A][(1) Any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance, the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.] (2) Any person aiding or abetting [4B][or collaborating] the acts mentioned in clause (1) shall likewise be guilty of high treason. [4C][(2A) An act of high treason mentioned in clause (1) or clause (2) shall not be validated by any court including the Supreme Court and a High Court.]
How many have committed this crime. And how many have been punished?
And now, a court in Pakistan has shown on which side it stands.
I am sure Pakistani courts got proof which proved his guilt beyond doubt.
hopefully our Government will play smart and exchange him for Afia Siddiqui. Quid pro Quo?
This is the main reason that no one comes forward either as a witness or informer if he or she sees any criminal activities going around. There are many in our country on whom there is head money but people knowingly would not come forward and the reason is same ..... that person will either be killed in mysterious conditions or booked in some dangerous cases.A person whose head money was $50 million was not for Dr. Afridi to go after him. In our country if a person sees anyone dieing on the road will never inform Police because they will not leave him on one pretext or the other. Here the the BOOTY was too high for mouth watering persons. I think he will be facilitated either to escape from the prison or he will go as did Raymond Davis.
A black day for Pakistan for punishing its brave son who passed the information about a dreaded terrorist responsible for 3000 deaths who was sought by the Interpol and carried a huge reward on his head. Dr Afridi is neither a traitor and nor has committed any act of treason since he did not pass any sensitive information to another country which compromised defence and sovereignty of Pakistan. The irony is that Pakistan along with US is fighting a war against terror but punishing its own national who located the most sought after terrorist and rather than projecting him as a hero for an international bravery award handed him a 33 years sentence. This strange and totally unjustified conviction make Pakistan a suspect in the eyes of the international community of delibrately sheltering OBL and punishing its brave national for locating him and causing major embarassment to the state.
@Gul Khan Momand: "He has been punished not because he verified Bin Laden’s presence, but because he ran a fake polio campaign and collected DNA for which he was not authorized."
And that deserves a 33 year jail sentence? A fine or revocation of license maybe, but the jail sentence is excessive and only serves to make clear to the whole world which side Pakistan has chosen.
He may have done good to bring OBL to justice, the problem the way he has done it. He should have put his motherland first and should have informed Pak authorities since the day he was recruited as spy for CIA!
@Zeta:
Do you think that Pakistan's government did not know where was OBL? My concern he was there with a blessings of the Pakistani government. But who knows... I hope I am wrong!
Sham justice. What kind of justice is this that defendant is not allowed any defense? There was no trial at all leave aside the question of an open trial. He was not tried under any law but under an ambiguous tribal jirga. How a tribal jirga can punish some one for a alleged crime that happened outside the jurisdiction of tribal belt?
Looks like generals are pushing Pakistan to international isolation.
This is outrageous. This man did the right thing and he is being punished for it. Just shows what a hypocritical country we are! We support terrorism that is what this indicates. And all the comments that support the sentence are supporters of terrorists. Sad times lie ahead of Pakistan. Very Sad times indeed.
Regardless of the fact that he did the World some good. It is an act of treason for which the punishment is justified. And Osama has been dead for years. Please need to be informed more.
Why is Afridi in Peshawar Central Jail? So that the US can try to attempt to rescue him from there? He should be sent to Multan or some other jail in central Pakistan far away from the ability of US to try and attempt foolishly to rescue the criminal.
Lawful decision !! but he did gr8 job
qurbani ka bakra and nothing else.
Just another 'Qurbani ka Bakra' to show the public that Pakistan has taken some steps regarding May 2 raid by US forces. Questions arise: Isn't Pakistani military and civil government working with CIA since 2001? Ain't they traitors too and shouldn't be charged for treason? Doesn't anyone from the forces needs to be court martial-ed for serious negligence on May 2, 2011?Like some officers have been convicted for Mehran Base attack? Above all, does Pakistan have the courage to say that 'Osama' actually never existed in Abbotabad but admit just his family was settled there and to declare it was all part of 'Osama end game' and they themselves were part of this game. After 65 years, for how many more years are they going to make a fool out of this nation?
@Jat: it shows we are not affraid of usa, cheers
Pakistan never misses a chance to shoot itself in the foot --- this sentence is akin to shouting to the World that OBL was your hero and you will punish anyone who helped bring him down. The only person who helped bring down OBL had his job taken away and now your going to lock him up for what amts to the rest of his life -- SHAME ON YOU!
Great decision, actually he deserve more then this to give a lesson to other traitor to respect the severity of our country. How can a citizen of one respectful country deal with other agencies?
@Saleem: and how u can say that ISI was playing game, if ISI was playing double game than why OBL was all alone in apartment, why there was no one protecting him, and shakeel was punished because he pass information to other country, he might would have good prize if he would have informed to own authorities.
@Pakistani Hindu...He has been sentenced for committing treason by helping the foreign agencies. There is no proof that someone was hiding OBL, courts cannot sentence someone merely on the basis of "believes" and "assumptions".
the matter is not that Shakeel afridi informant of OBL was sentenced because of passing information, but he was sentenced as he passed information to other country and not own country, he might would get good prize if he would have informed to own authorities, his punishment is not because of his information against OBL but his punishment is because of pass information to USA,
Nothing paints a worse picture of Pakistan than this sentence does ! We have literally admitted to the world that Osama was an asset to Pakistan ! How does helping to capture a wanted criminal constitute treason??
Can someone explain to me what crime this man committed? Does Pakistan not think that OBL was an international terrorists wanted around the world?
@Daredavils: Yes keep dreaming ..world knows wot else is there to prove . Keep urself happy by believing these stories .Must commend Pakistan of this ,on one hand they say Pakistan supported in the raid and on the other hand the person who really helped nab the biggest terrorist is sentenced to 33 years of Jail . Wot else is there to proove . Keep supporting terrorists
This man should be freed. He does not deserve jail. He made a service to the ISI for not being able to figure out OBL whereabouts...
I salute this gentleman.
This Doctor was used by Americans as data collection tool and he was not aware of Osama's presence to report to the Authorities or media. In any case, people who shielded Osama must be toasting to his unjust incarceration and continue to rule the country.
@Faysal: Very true , acting against world's biggest terrorist is such a big crime in Pakistan ..keep supporting all the terrorist ..and at the end of day beat ur chests saying that we are suffering because of terrorism .No matter if the world laughs at us ,sees us with suspicison. Hafiz is also staying openly if Osama had approached Pak court he would have also been given clean chit and his charitable ways would have been highligted .He would have been shown as a messiah.
How can a citizen of one respectful country deal with other agencies? Great decision, actually he deserve more then this to give a lesson to other traitor to respect the severity of our country.
Great decision. How can a citizen of one respectful country deal with other agencies, actually he deserve more then this to give a lesson to other traitor to respect the severity of our country.
Doctor Shakeel Afridi...You are the real Hero of Pakistan.........A Man who helped to track down a terrorist Osama Bin Laden..........What message we are delivering to the whole world by punishing him.....
Dr Afridi's good days at his door step........his next destination is US
Wanted to remind all those friends here who are favouring this judgement that if you rememeber recently ISI also proclaimed that they informed US about Osama. So what punishment you demand for this ?
Person who thing OBL was the sole threat to humanity are living in a fool’s paradise, America is chief of all terrorists!
He should appeal and ask the tribal court to deport him to US so that he could collect the reward of millions of dollars.
He has been saved from the revange of AL Qaida. After a couple of years they will shift him to USA to reside peacefully in Alaska or Navada.
so our honorable courts cant punish terrorists (malik ishaq, muslim khan, lal masjid brigade etc) but will punish a person who brought the worlds most wanted man and a known terrorist to justice. i have no faith left in the future of this country.
Hey he is a diplomat, hands off the doc! On the serious note our tribal justice system, well that was one more step closer to make our land the purest in the ummah and the world! Hope the venerated Supreme Court does not take suo motu of the same and creates obstacle in this great endeavor.
Definitely discouraging for all his followers, persons like him are disposables for CIA !!!
This man is a hero!. He saved many many lives. If Osama is alive he could cause many more destructions and death of many innocent people. My only regtet that it took so long to kill OBL. The action of Pakistan against this doctor, shows true face of Pakistani government. Who knows maybe Pakistani government even knew where OBL was living. May God help this doctor!
His real crime is that he misused the trust of people in 'polio vaccination' by running fake campaign. Literally, no one trust polio vaccination in rural area any more.
Instead of helping Pakistan catch him (if he was ever there in first place), He helped CIA. Traitors deserve no mercy. He brought shame to nation, to his profession.
I hope he rot for ever in the jail
@musheer. The Pakistani authorities had the information all along. The poor guy has been punished because he exposed the double game being played by ISI/Army.
What he get is clear injustice, he is our socrates that we killed with our own hands. The person who helped saved so many future lives is getting this treatment :( He put his life on stake to get caught a culprit who is dodging our officials and wreaking havoc on the land of more than one country, who was responsible for the murder of millions.
You're right Nadir.
The ostrich-like approach is never beneficial for the people
Why is he being sentenced? There is no evidence that OBL was found in Abbotabad. Is he being punished for the fake drama carried out on May 2, 2011?
Now NATO has to step in to rescue this poor doctor.
He should be awarded
Should have follow Iran regarding sentences for these kind of traitor!!!
why a person assisting in arresting a terrerist is being condemned as a traitor . Does it means that Pakistan supports Alqaeda and its actions ? and any one who is working against the heinios AlQaeda agenda of Killing and Maiming innocent people and specially Pakistanies is a Traitor ....................... that is Point to ponder for all Pakistanies.
He has been punished not because he verified Bin Laden's presence, but because he ran a fake polio campaign and collected DNA for which he was not authorized.
When is America buying our government and releasing him...and giving him American citizenship ??
Finally sane comments. I was fearing many commentator would support him. however they are still some.
How will he recieve US citizenship now?
I wasn't surprised to know that US had blatantly revealed the identity of their informant who helped their way through- after he was done with his job n was pretty useless to them. This mean and unethical behavior is the hallmark of Americans as a nation as exactly what they have been treating their allies in the past. Poor Afridi have learnt the lesson a hard way. Have peace in jail dude while Obama administration is busy using the Osama-saga in securing their top positions in the up-coming presedential race.
Even 33 years is a bit too lenient......Traitors deserve more than that
Did anyone know or cover the trial? Even trials of Soviet dissidents accused of espionage were more open than this!
@A2Z: and what about those who were hiding world's no.1 terrorist?
God has mysterious ways. He used a morally corrupt man to do a noble job: kill the murderer of thousands of innocent human beings.
@Ali: Now I have more trust on polio team as compare to ISI
This action of Pakistani courts establishes which side of war on terror Pakistani judiciary is. Imprisoning Dr Shakil Afridi, Lawyers showering rose petals on Mumtaz Quadri, murderer of Salman Taseer, inability of courts to act against perpetrators of forceful conversions, judges avoiding to deal with terror related cases, unwillingness on the part of police to collect evidence to prosecute terrorists and Taliban to get them justice, leading to their acquitals, unwillingness of prison guards to put up a fight to prevent jail break leading to escape of 400 hard core terrorists; Pakistan is going in the correct direction set by their elders collectively and no one from present generation has the courage to change it.
Does this mean that we are officially admitting to hosting OBL for all these years ?
The end result is that Osama was caught and killed. I believe this was a shared goal for both Pakistan & the US. He was the most wanted terrorist. The guy is being punished for bringing an end to Osama & putting a dent into his terrorist organisation.
Don't think anyone had confidence in the Pakistani agencies to tell them that they knew where Osama was...perhaps the end result might have been different.
Unfortunate. He is being punished for cutting short the "vacation" Mr Bin Laden was enjoying under the umbrella of our Intelligence forces at the heart of the armed forces stronghold.
Bad for Pakistan. Sends a wrong signal world over.
This will remain a blot in the history books for eternity. The man who ensured the hunting down of the Worlds worst terrorist is sentenced to 33 years in prison. Strategic Assets it seems are very valuable. Did I hear someone say that Pakistan is a victim of terrorism ???
From pashtuns' perspective, #ShakilAfridi did the right thing. Al Qaeda has made Pashtuns' lands the hub of global terrorism, and we owe it to the world as well as our own people to extend full cooperation to whoever is trying to eradicate this menace from our lands.
Furthermore, it's Ironic that so far none of Osama's enablers have been punished for the terrorist' rather comfortable holidays in Abbotabad but Shakil Afridi has been done with swiftly. In fact, none of the known terrorists (the likes of Muslim Khan from Swat) have yet been sentenced.
Whose side are you on Pakistan ?
33 years jail for passing information to CIA about terrorist? Anybody can understood Pakistan's real intensions.
I think it was necessary to make an example out of this man, so that in future no one dares to help foreign spy agencies. Then again, I hope that it was made sure that Dr. Afridi had prior knowledge as to what he was doing and for whom he was doing it, otherwise this sentence would be simply unjust.
Only known Pakistani who helped eliminate most dangerous Terrorist - Bin Laden - is sentenced to 33 years!
And There is "no" evidence against Gazi brothers of Red Mosque of Islamabad that they did ANYthing wrong! Wow!
Could you imagine how a Canadian or even an Indonesian would view this, forget American or Brit?
If any one had doubt about "committment" of Pakistan to eradicate Al-Qaeda and Terrorism, they are resolved now. Pakistan is firmly committed to eradicate anyone who tried to damage Al-Qaeda or Terrorism at large!
For his help in killing the most wanted terrorist in the world? He deserve a Nishan-e-Haider unless the terrorist Sheikh was 'our' guest and we wanted to keep him safe; was he?
Dr. Shakeel Afridi did a great service to the world in general.. How can you punish him? AND WHAT MESSAGE ARE WE GIVING TO THE WHOLE WORLD..!?!?? MAN.. I PROTEST...!!!
The man who should've been hailed a hero is sent to jail while Malik Ishaq roams free. Goes to show that the 'deep state' likes to take care of its assets and does not like it when they are taken out.
Foolish counter move by Pakistan against American Congress bills. This will only make the Americans angrier.
this guy should never see the daylight again who brought Pakistan such an embarrassment regardless of the fact why OBL was there
Why could he not have given this information first to Pakistani authorities ?
Well deserved punishment for the damage he has done. He could have passed this information to our own agencies, probably our agencies couldn't buy him.
THAT'S INJUSTICE MAN..!!!
The doctor helped bring the world's most dangerous terrorist to justice. Instead of rewarding him, he has been jailed. Just goes to show that the agencies/government consider the terrorists their valuable asset.
He should be given a longer sentence for each new case of polio that is diagnosed in his area of responsibility. Who would trust the next polio eradication team knocking at their foor?
what a drama taking place in our country.At one hand shakeel afridi is gonna sentenced but those who were hiding OBL and those who done joined operation with navy seals are freely doing their work in the name of "strong allies".what type of double standards are these.By the story of OBL assasination in not clear yet.some russian news were describing a whole different story that OBL was died natural death in 2002.what about that????? what's happening all around!!!!!!
Good...Now the secular and liberals start bashing the courts
Trust me, relations with US are deteriorating, Dr Afridi's sentence and a Lt. Col., who is head of Ex Service Men Association's legal Arm, filed a petition against US Embassy's new building. These both are in response to Pak Fauj's recommendations and suggestions being snubbed and over ruled by US. They carried out a strike just one day after President zardari's return. It says it all.
This traitor should have been given hanged
Was he sentenced by Al-Qaida court ? Has the killer of Punjab governor being sentenced yet ?
So when are proceedings starting against those who were either incompetent or complicit in insuring that a globally renowned criminal resided in Abottabad? Oh wait!! Majority of Pakistanis believe that OBL was not killed that night!
This nut brought shame to Pakistan and its forces, regardless of them knowning about Laden or not. Instead of helping the Americans, he should have just informed Pakistani Media!
Maybe he deserved this punishement, but not for the crime of telling on OBL. In fact he committed many others during his service.
There will be several comments here supporting this guy. While one can have serious reservations on OBL living in Abbotabad. IMHO, this guy acted against the law and was a traitor under all definitions possible. Deserved it !
deserve more than that