'Davis released in accordance with Shariah law'
Firdous Ashiq Awan says Davis released after the payment of blood money (Diyat) in accordance with Shariah Law.
ISLAMABAD:
Federal Minister for Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said on Wednesday that Raymond Davis was released after the payment of blood money (Diyat) in accordance with Shariah Law.
Speaking on or show on PTV, she said that it was the federal government had already taken the stance that the matter would be decided by the court of law.
She said that according to the settlement, the families of the Lahore shooting victims pardoned Davis, after receiving the blood money.
The minister said that the Raymond Davis case was registered and carried out in the Punjab court and Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah verified the settlement as well.
"If he speaks against his own party's policy or decision, It was his legal right", she remarked.
She reiterated that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani had assured earlier that the Davis issue would be decided by the court.
She emphasised that political parties are trying to exploit the issue for political gains which is not in the national interest.
Judge goes on leave
Additional District and Sessions Judge Yousuf Ojla went on leave on Thursday, a day after acquitting US national Raymond Davis in the double-murder case.
Lahore correspondent for Express 24/7 Mohammad Rizwan reported that in the wake of the protests against Davis’ release, the judge went on leave for security reasons.
Rizwan reported that lawyers are amongst the protesters who have come out on the streets. They claim their colleague Asad Mansoor Butt, who was representing the relatives of the deceased, was reportedly detained in the Koth Lakhpath jail trial court. This has sparked a wave of protest in the province and there are reports of Lahore lawyers boycotting courts.
All religious parties have announced protest rallies on Friday. The Lahore Bar president also said that courts will be boycotted and they will join the protest against the acquittal tomorrow.
Federal Minister for Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said on Wednesday that Raymond Davis was released after the payment of blood money (Diyat) in accordance with Shariah Law.
Speaking on or show on PTV, she said that it was the federal government had already taken the stance that the matter would be decided by the court of law.
She said that according to the settlement, the families of the Lahore shooting victims pardoned Davis, after receiving the blood money.
The minister said that the Raymond Davis case was registered and carried out in the Punjab court and Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah verified the settlement as well.
"If he speaks against his own party's policy or decision, It was his legal right", she remarked.
She reiterated that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani had assured earlier that the Davis issue would be decided by the court.
She emphasised that political parties are trying to exploit the issue for political gains which is not in the national interest.
Judge goes on leave
Additional District and Sessions Judge Yousuf Ojla went on leave on Thursday, a day after acquitting US national Raymond Davis in the double-murder case.
Lahore correspondent for Express 24/7 Mohammad Rizwan reported that in the wake of the protests against Davis’ release, the judge went on leave for security reasons.
Rizwan reported that lawyers are amongst the protesters who have come out on the streets. They claim their colleague Asad Mansoor Butt, who was representing the relatives of the deceased, was reportedly detained in the Koth Lakhpath jail trial court. This has sparked a wave of protest in the province and there are reports of Lahore lawyers boycotting courts.
All religious parties have announced protest rallies on Friday. The Lahore Bar president also said that courts will be boycotted and they will join the protest against the acquittal tomorrow.