Pakistan

Davis on hunger strike: Sources

American gunman won't eat until his demands are met, US embassy denies report.

Express February 22, 2011

LAHORE: Reports on Tuesday suggested that Raymond Davis, held in jail for the alleged murder of two Pakistanis in Lahore, has gone on a hunger strike at the Kot Lakhpat jail.

However, a US embassy spokesperson deemed the reports ridiculous saying that the American national was not on hunger strike.

According to Express 24/7 correspondent Shiraz Hasnat, sources confirmed that Davis is demanding reduced surveillance and his favourite food on his particular timings. They added that Davis is brought food by staff from the American consulate in Lahore whenever someone comes to meet him.

Hasnat said that after his conversation with his family a day before yesterday, Davis is “a little bit depressed and that’s why as a protest today he is on hunger strike.”

The Punjab government earlier refused a request by the US consulate in Lahore to remove the surveillance cameras on Davis’ cell and decrease his surveillance. A meeting between the Punjab government and jail authorities is underway to discuss the situation, the correspondent reported.

The consulate has also requested to transfer Davis from the Kot Lakhpat Jail to Rawalpindi’s Adiyala jail. The correspondent said that Raymond Davis had access to a DVD player and a television, as well as access to a phone sometimes. He said other than not cooperating with investigators, Davis has also objected to hearing the Azan (call for prayer) from near his cell.

COMMENTS (35)

Anoop | 13 years ago | Reply @SA, Buddy, if Pakistan fails and nukes fall into Terrorists or refugees rush into India, it will be my problem. You might not care what your country become, as it is already stuck in a downward spiral, but I do care about mine. @Sara, You are brainwashed by your Urdu Media. Pakistani Army is involved in the Drone strikes. The proof for this is this: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article5762371.ece There is absolutely no prrof of US involvement is other acts, and you are speaking without any concrete evidence. Nice way to treat the country which has poured billions into Pakistan since Pakistan's birth, which has allowed Pakistan to punch above its weight. If there was concrete evidence then its the Pakistani Army's and Governments fault that they are not acting on it, not USA's. USA is doing what it thinks is in its interests. Your energy will be spent better if you focus your attention against the idocies of Pakistani Army than hate a country which is sitting pretty thousands of miles away.

SA | 13 years ago | Reply @Anoop: Now that isn't really YOUR problem, is it?

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SARA | 13 years ago | Reply @ Mr. Anoop....may be all the above commenters aren't poor and are hypocrites but still if they now realizing the main reason of America's aid just to force us to do anything like puppets and raising their voices for justice then its a good cause. Self respect is the main thing in any personality so its the time to say no to America's aid and fight for justice. Sooner or later americal WILL attack us like it already started in northern areas (drone attacks), kidnapping in balochistan, mafia groups in karachi, they all are american agencies projects.

Anoop | 13 years ago | Reply Forget about Davis going on a hunger strike, if US stops aid to Pakistan, millions will be forced to go on forced Hunger strike in Pakistan. The people who are commenting for his punishment are obviously not so poor and are thorough hyprocrites or lack intelligence to understand it.

SARA | 13 years ago | Reply @meherbaan...do meherbaani with urself, such ignorance and selfishness of ours will lead us no where whether we agree with american's every good or evil plan or not. davis u've made a very good decision of going on hunger strike atleast Pakistan's funds would be safe, other agents of Pak now its ur time to realize how your government is going to response if u'll get in trouble. again davis stay on hunger strike its not a big deal for us.

SA | 13 years ago | Reply I would take that with a pinch of salt; an american on hunger strike is rather hard to believe.. though kind of funny. LOL!

Sher Afzal Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Is it our duty to teach jail authorities and other investigational autorities that how they treat with a killer, spy and enemy of the nation, Remember 03 Shaheeds gave their live to identifying this spy. How we forget them. When he entered in this country, and living in city were the all loudspeakers stopped at the time of Azan. He must listen the Azan. Treat him under the law for dealing as spy and killer of innocent citizens.

URTruth | 13 years ago | Reply Now he is acting all Desi! Lahore will do that to you!

Blithe | 13 years ago | Reply It is most peculiar that the US Counsulate is asking for the removal of the cameras. Are they planning a prision break???

PAKISTANI | 13 years ago | Reply Is it necessary to react to his hunger strike. If he wants to continue, good luck to him.

karachiite | 13 years ago | Reply @meherbaan: pakistan will regret allowing cowards to voice opinion ... fear is contagious

rehan | 13 years ago | Reply He must've infact 'praised' the Azaan and said how 'soothing' it is to his soul when he visited mosques as a NEWLY CONVERT.

Umair Mallick | 13 years ago | Reply Imagine... if a similar thing would a Pakistani national do in the US, how would they treat him/her... No doubt this man is a criminal, a spy and a clear anti pakistan agent even possibly linked to the militant insurgency in the country. Is there anything left? Let the local law take its course..

Umair Mallick | 13 years ago | Reply Imagine is a similar thing would a Pakistani national do in the US, how would they treat him/her... No doubt this man is a criminal, a spy and a clear anti pakistan agent even possibly linked to the militant insurgency in the country. Is there anything left? Let the local law take its course..

LovePak | 13 years ago | Reply Give this murderer "patli daal" of jail and let him realise that he is in jail and not in gradpa's room.

rat con | 13 years ago | Reply Everyone should be very skeptical of what the facts actually are. No one knows if he is really on a hunger strike or the actual conditions hes being held in. Also, it is likely that many of the Pakistan based papers are serving as propaganda tools to inflame anti-american sentiment. Don't get be wrong, I do not support American over-involvement in Pakistan, and around the world for that matter, but what do you expect, the ISI is aiding terrorist activities in Afghanistan. If the ISI is going to go toe to toe with the largest military in the world you can expect their agents to get killed. I find it extremely unlikely that the two motorcyclists killed were merely innocent people in the wrong place at the wrong time. While the USA is not good at a lot of things training its military is not one of them. If they got shot they were in all likely hood ISI agents. The other motorcyclist who was hit by the embassy vehicle is what really should be complained about. That is obviously a clear cut case of an innocent being killed.

Balma | 13 years ago | Reply Well, regardless of his legal satus or criminal record i can see why someone can object to azaan....I mean, 5 times azaan on loud speakers can drive any person, Muslim or Non-Muslim insane. They should ban the use of loud speakers for azaans. ACtually, until few decades ago our mullahs claimed that loud speaker is haraam because it creates a voice of shaitaan....unbelievable. Now, same mullahs can't live without abusing loud speakers and microphones. On top of every thing, there are five masjids per square inch in Paksitan....mostly illegaly built. Now imagine five azaans from five masjids on loud speakrs within a quarter of a mile of your home....won't you go nuts?

Hassan shah | 13 years ago | Reply Give him naswar he will b fine

Rahim | 13 years ago | Reply This is from a guy who has been spying on us for years, only few weeks and he is upset by CCTV cameras in his cell, get real mate, you have been doing this on us. He should be treated as other inmates. Punjab Govt. has been too soft with him. How dare he is complaining about Azan.

Ahmed Ilyas | 13 years ago | Reply Remember Guantanamo?

meherbaan | 13 years ago | Reply treat him well and pakistan will be safe otherwise pakistanis will regret it someday very badly

Majid Nasim Ahmad | 13 years ago | Reply If he is going to object to hearing the Azan from near his cell, why did he come to Pakistan in the first place? Doesn't he know that Pakistan is a Muslim country, with the Azan sounding 5 times daily. Now, he will have to be dealt with by the law. Also, he wants his prison to be like a palace and is asking for so many things. Look at the double standards of the USA. Aafia Siddiqui is only allowed 1 meal a day in Carswell prison and she rarely gets to meet anyone. But, she is innocent and Raymond Davis is guilty. I don't know why Pakistan is being so hospitable to Raymond, when USA doesn't allow the basic necessities to Aafia Siddiqui.

Ali2 | 13 years ago | Reply An American and hunger strike - absurd... they love their food too much! Bhook hartaal is a very desi thing!

Raj | 13 years ago | Reply Raymond Davis should be treated like Indian spy Kashmir Singh. He should be put in the basement of Kot Lakhpat jail and not be allowed to see the sunshine for 35 years. Pakistan is capable of doing this, just read the link here.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashmir_Singh

Muhammad Saleem | 13 years ago | Reply where is his orange jump suit? He should be made to wear one and eat the jail "daal chawal". His hunger strike will end automatically....he has a tv for what? killing 2 innocent Pakistanis?

Salman | 13 years ago | Reply Maybe he should be kept in a "drawing room" Sub nakrah nikal jai ga.

thussain | 13 years ago | Reply how about some naswar! can he do without that too?

Anon | 13 years ago | Reply Another drama

MuslimBoy | 13 years ago | Reply The hunger strike is a very desi thing. Ive not heard it any place else that frequently.

sana | 13 years ago | Reply don't let this guy go ... enough of US arrogance

G | 13 years ago | Reply He should be treated same as other murderers and terrorists. A DVD player and television? is this a hotel room or something? Pakistan should borrow a trick or two from the humanity loving Americans and how they torture innocent people in Guantanamo Bay and apply those on Raymond Davis to get as much information as they can from this terrorist.

Nazir Habib | 13 years ago | Reply The temerity of the US government to train and send him on such a fool-hardy mission in combination with his insensate, broad daylight killing of two innocent Pakistanis is the result of his hunger strike. On top of this his imperial audacity has led him to object to the Azan which without any hesitation is an insult of immeasuarable proportions to all muslims. The GoP being his gracious hosts, has allowed him a DVD player, television and at times a telephone and meals whenever a US embassy staffer comes to meet him. He should be under twenty-four hours surveillance at all times and kept at a place where the law in force requires him to be kept. No special treatment. Salams for 2011 and ever.

bunny | 13 years ago | Reply Well food could be provided to him after complete checking for any impurities and hygine but what else....he is given DVD and other things....Is he on holidays or what...treat him like any other person....what so special for him....hmm i think he deserves some sunshine of 25C and a rayban aviator and a nice pool for swimming.....also post some ministers for moving with umbrella with him....

Angelos | 13 years ago | Reply why is he being treated like a superstar??? why not treat him like other murderers???

Saad Duraiz | 13 years ago | Reply Oh my! so the yank is realizing how so many in Guantanamo and other rendition sites suffered for years. Karma is a....

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