This was stated by DPC leaders, including Maulana Samiul Haq, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed and Jamat-i-Islami (JI) chief Syed Munawar Hussain, during a press conference in Nowshera.
The leaders maintained that Dr Afridi had committed treason and should not be spared for it.
Dr Afridi ran a fake vaccination programme designed to collect information about the presence of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad by running DNA tests on samples surreptitiously collected from his family. Bin Laden was subsequently shot dead in a US raid in May 2011. Dr Afridi was sentenced to 33 years in prison by a tribal court on charges of treason, for collaborating with militants.
After his sentencing, a furious Senate Appropriations Committee voted to cut US aid to Pakistan by a symbolic $33 million – $1 million for each year of jail time. Another legislation was introduced in the US Senate on Tuesday demanding a cut in all aid to Pakistan unless Dr Afridi is released and allowed to leave the country.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has termed the sentence “unjust and unwarranted”, saying Dr Afridi was “instrumental in taking down one of the world’s most-wanted murderers”.
COMMENTS (35)
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@Tony Singh: Dear Tony, I am very much against the death penalty, and I think OBL probably was in Pakistan. All I have said is: "has OBL's body been identified". I am prepared to admit that I make mistakes, but in this case I think you have it wrong. Unless I am suffering from a senior moment you owe me an apology. Regards, Sexton Blake.
@Sexton Blake: That's precisely the point! On one hand you say OBL was not in Pakistan on the other you ask for death penalty for a man who helped identify OBL residence in Abbotabad. Surely one of the above is a false statement
When I see the picture of the DPC faces used with this story, I am simply terrified and depressed that such people are aspiring to grab power and guide the destiny of Pakistan. God save the country from their murderous clutches and their religious fanaticism. Pakistan is on the way to destroying itself by giving such hate-mongering elements the space to attain their destructive agenda in the name of religion. Can something not be done to stop the scourge which such elements are becoming for the nation? We need nation builders in Pakistan, not madrassah-educated graduates with one agenda of imposing their extremist beliefs and ideology.
please decide weather OBL was a renowned Leader or A terrorist ?
No, death penalty should not be given, he is serving his sentence, that should be enough.
Let's cut it short and ask under what law is Afridi being charged for treason? Laws of Pakistan or tribal laws?
Once it is estblished that Afridi violated the laws of the country, then he should be charged.
Whether Osama was there or not is not the issue here. Breaking the law is.
@Mohammad: If Islam is indeed religion of peace, then why are it's followers roaming in Afghanistan with Kalashnikov ?? Why is there a group call Taliban associated with that religion ? Why does follower of this religion of peace like Hafeez Saeed preaches such a string hatred against India and Hindus ? Religion of peace like Buddhism never have trouble with any religion. Nobody hurts them and they dont hurt anybody. they believe in forgiveness even to those who do wrong to them. this is why they are left alone and never bothered by even their adversaries. Islam may be a religion of peace. It's follower are certainly not peaceful. Your intolerance towards non muslims has no equal in any other religion.
This we call weapon Mass of Deception. Making OBL Killing OBL OBL died long time before with kidney dialysis. They are just try to insulting Islam. Islam is the only peacefull religion in this world it teach you the why of life from born to dead and what happen after death. The people who think OBL is responsible for MUSLIM. the they dont have any idea who was OBL. They just belive what media says. They dont know from which family he belong to. Also they dont know from which tribes he belong to. Shame on your self before blaming any one without any evidence. I laugh on people who still belive OBL destroy WTC LOL.
They are 'Food For Drones'. Before drones track them down better give each of them a king size glass of human blood which is easily available with unregistered blood banks.
@Shadowliner:
followed by
Contradiction? Thought it was an unnamed 'frail old man'?
The combined IQ of all these mullahs would not make it into three digits.
O please USA one drone strike on these bigots as well, since our army have been useless.
@ 1984 "why are Pakistanis still claiming that it was not Osama who was killed in Abottabad raid???"
I'm not Pakistani, but I say that it was not Osama the dreaded terrorist who was killed but a frail old man (from the video footage released). Not content, they disposed off his body in savage manner - denying him dignity in death. They launched a character assassination of the man by claiming to find porn in his villa.
These are not the actions of a country that claims to be the upholder of liberty and justice. Osama could have easily been bagged, flown out and brought to trial. Why did they execute him like some 'backward societies.'
Is it because there is no judicial evidence linking Osama to the 911 attacks? #orwell
@Arif: @1984: @Sexton Blake:
Once they lost contact with OBL, after a loud raid near the vicinity he was holed up in, they knew he was gone. They're not exactly going to file a 'missing persons' report. Ironic and rare that right-wing extremists aren't delusional or denialist on the issue of OBL's existence and death. What is their opinion? They openly and shamefully think very highly of the terrorist, and themselves advocate if not indulge in violence, part of the same fraternity.
Prof Hafiz Saeed (Mr. L-e-T - wanted notorious regional militant linked to other militant groups including pro-Taliban and pro-Al Qaeda organizations, was in contact with OBL and those around him) prayed Ghaibana Namaz-e-Janazah (funeral prayers in absence) for OBL with current DPC activists (DPC itself wasn't formed or organized until recently, but militants, terrorists, sympathizers and supporters who make up their council all existed with their respective organizations).
Syed Munawar Hasan (Hussain is a misprint above), leader of a supposed religious mainstream party, on top of calling Taliban murderers his brothers, calls Osama Bin Laden 'Shaheed' (martyr. tauba). These opinions and acts of devotion are not isolated. Many Pakistanis share it. Some denialists or conspiracists probably share it too secretly, besides trying to hide it in shame, due to ideology or simply anti-US resentment or incapable to accept due to being overwhelmed, ignorant, apathetic or deranged.
@Sexton Blake: If Osama REALLY wasnt found in Pakistan,as many pakistani citizens claim..
Whose DNA samples did Dr.Afridi share?? Why did Pakistani govt imprison Dr.Afridi?? Why were Pakistanis on street to mourn OSama's death?? Why is Difa-e-Pakistan demanding the death of Dr.Afridi??
And lastly,why are Pakistanis still claiming that it was not Osama who was killed in Abottabad raid???
sir,these people have a right to express their opinion but as you know no one votes for them
@ET:
Only ET gives them attention NOT anyone else. Looks like E.T considers them an official committee regarding defense of Pakistan rather then GHQ.
@Batman: Death sentence for treason is normal in backword societies like Pakistan. The west (Europe, USA etc) used to do the same but have now realized its disadvantages and no longer do that.
Thats right, divert all your attention towards a trivial non-issue while we play with our drones in your country. This is sensational, stupid news for the proles. Dont pay too much attention to it
Are we surprised? Awarding death sentence to poor Dr. Shakil Arfidi should not be the only demand from this mush-mash bunch of self appointed defenders of Pakistan to accede to. How about implementing their agenda in its entirety? Are we ready to let Pakistan go further down than it already is? This reckless gang of desperadoes has a single point agenda, and that is, to Talibanize Pakistan and completely isolate it from the international community.
@kaalchakra: Helping to take out a terrorist chief has nothing to do with patriotim.
@kaalchakra: "Either one loves and honors Pakistan, or one does not. ".......and one who does not should be hanged or killed......no room for "freedom of speech" eh ?
@Mj, not really.
These guys are obsessed with death and destruction.
@1984: Dear 1984, Did Difa-e-Pakistan Council identify Osama bin Laden's body?
Dear John the atheist, You must get a real laugh when you watch CNN. No offence.
@Arif:
Are you talking about our country or Islam? These two are totally different things. Bad name about Islam & Muslims will be rectified once people start learning about Islam. And there are many in the west that I have witnessed are inclined to and are learning about this great religion.
About bringing the country on the verge of disaster, after gone through the past ten years, just as our right wingers put all the blame on US & West, the left wingers put blame on Islam for everything.
The point is there are so many ills in our society for which, neither Islam (for liberals) nor US & West (for right wingers) is responsible for. These are our dis-honesty, our short-cut seeking attitude, our greed that causes corruption, shamelessness, our attitude of letting bad things happen around us. The list is too long. All will be solved if our people start learning about both Science & Islam. Unfortunately many among us think that Science & Islam negate each other, but in fact they reinforce each other.
Be the change you want to see around you!
@Awais:
Why not? Just because you do not agree with them or do not like them means they shouldn't be on the news?
This is a fully justified demand. Time has come to take a stand. Either one loves and honors Pakistan, or one does not.
Before even demanding death sentence, I want to ask these leaders what they think about OBL. If he is (is becuase I believe he is still alive) their hero then Shakil should get death sentence along with these leaders who are demanding for it.
As a nation, we are confused, to some OBL is Islam's biggest savior and for others he is nothing but a traitor of Islam. He has given enough bad name to its people and religion overall. He has made Muslims look like a terrorist in the eyes of others. He has shown a twisted form of Islam which unfortunately was quite popular back in the days of Jihad against Soviet. Shame on all of us for bringing the country to the verge of disaster.
Whenever i see news in ET, i just couldn't stop laughing.. no offense guys..
Why are they even in the news? and especially a headline?
I don't see anything wrong with their demand. Death sentence for treason is normal.
Shall anyone comment on any news of this gang of looters and idiots.....
So Difa-e-Pakistan do agree the point that Osama Bin Laden did Live in Pakistan and Shakil Afridi helped Navy Seals find him
Well,I think the conspiracy theorist can now clear their doubts from them rather than asking the media..