Dr Shakil Afridi. PHOTO: AFP
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif assured US congressmen and activists during his recent visit to the US that his government will reconsider Dr Shakil Afridi’s case, Fox News reported.
Afridi helped CIA agents in their hunt for al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. He was sentenced to 33 years in prison without having an opportunity to defend himself.
According to the report, Nawaz - in a private meeting with congressional representatives and a non-government individual - committed to task law officials with reviewing the prosecution process for Afridi.
Reportedly, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Ed Royce with Robert Lorsch of the Free Afridi Campaign "heavily pressured the Pakistani leadership about releasing the doctor and allowing him a life in the United States."
Lorsch told Fox News: “What they (Pakistani government) do with Dr Afridi is how Pakistan will be judged as a democracy by the rest of the world.'"
"This was first time that the leadership in Pakistan realized the importance of Dr Afridi not as a political bargaining tool but as a symbol of how freedom-loving American people regard Pakistan," Lorsch added.
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He has yet to be sentenced in a proper court. Sentencing him to 33 yrs for helping TTP by a political agent is a miscarriage of justice. If u want to punish him, frame genuine charges, let him have a lawyer and get a neutral judge.
Dr Afridi has a right to a fair trial and he should receive one! However people seem to have forgotten the impact that the abbottabad incident has had on the polio drive. This single incident has crippled the polio drive in tribal areas. People seem to have lost their trust in the vaccination teams.
Indians, get a life and don't meddle in Pakistan's affairs.
Every September 11th the World will pause and remember - they will remember how OBL was killed by the American's, Pakistan's duplicity, and how Pakistan refused to find those who helped OBL but persecuted the one man who helped discover his location. No wonder Pakistan is less popular than N Korea - have you no shame?
Pakistan is a terrorist heaven. Anybody who will stand-up or talk against terrorism, will be punished by the terrorists, our courts, and lastly by our totally ignorant public. We live in our own world where Osama and Dr. Aafia are national heros; it's very dark here.
@Uza Syed:
You are on target. He should be given the highest civilian award. He did what our forces couldn't do.
@vasan: ECL does not stand in the way if you are flying in a special place out of Chakala Air Base.
I suspect the USA doesn't mind Afridi locked up. Reminds the World of Pakistan's true position on WOT and why they need to keep up drone attacks.
Dr Afridi should not only be acquitted honorably but also be awarded for his brave act.
@vasan: Relax guys , this your democratically elected government . They'll never let this happen. NEVER!
What crime has he done? Hr has done the same what our government/military has been doing, aiding war on terror...apprehending the bad guys.
First step : Dr Afridi's name from ECL will be removed shortly.
In the end Afridi will be exchanged for Afia Siddiqi.
Dr. Afridi's case should be reviewed as he was not given a chance to defend and was sentenced in a haste.The world did not like it.
PMLN freed Ramond Davis midnight, and will do the same for Shakil Afridi.
A BIG why? just because...
Bank: Transaction done from Obama to Nawaz ---> release the guy now :P
It is total rediculous that US is now admitting that Afridi was working for CIA and pressuring for his release.
@Fahim: I would love to know, what he said after!
I don't even think there was any OBL. But if they release him, it will be a message to the future traitors that the US will stand with you. When it comes to their 'interests' then it's about democracy!
Let Dr Shakeel Afridi go. He did what we as a nation committed to do which was go after all terrorists including the chief terrorist OBL. Afridi should be honoured and treated as hero of the freedom loving people of the free world including the peace loving and freedom aspiring Pakistani people.
How hopeless we are :) We accepted that US doesnot want to talk about Afia ! But we are assuring them that we wont hurt your boy "Afridi" !
Dr.Afridi is a hero for the rest of the world ! Free the great man Mr.Sharif !!
One of my colleague told me that OBL operation was a drama ! I asked so do you support releasing shakil afridi as this incident never happened ?
Pakistanis live in alternate reality, they jail the person who helped to find the terrorist, and they hide the terrorist for over 10 years while getting the money to find him.
You can see Foxes worry about their own! pack loyalty ! ........... live and let live, I say!
Review means that my lord we will find a way to free him, give us time.