ISLAMABAD: The United States should respect a Pakistan court’s decision to imprison Dr Shakil Afridi, a doctor accused of helping the CIA find Osama bin Laden, the foreign ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
“I think as far as the case of Afridi is concerned, it was in accordance with Pakistani laws and by the Pakistani courts, and we need to respect each other’s legal processes,” Moazzam Ali Khan told reporters.
The sentence of Dr Afridi irked from a few US officials who had earlier admitted Dr Afridi’s involvement in the Abbottabad raid and had called for his security.
After Dr Afridi was sentenced to 33 years imprisonment by a tribal court on Wednesday, US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said that there was no basis for Dr Afridi to be held, while US Republican Congressman, Dana Rohrabacher went a step ahead in his criticism of the sentence, calling it a “decisive proof that Pakistan sees itself as being at war” with the US.
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The drama is still in progress.All including Afridi are actors playing various characters. Let s wait for end and then ll b able to offer comments.Anyhow nothing extraordinary is expected.
@gp65:
"In his book Musharraf has claimed to take bounty for handing over Al Qaed people to CIA without due process. If Musharraf does it he is patriot, if Afridi does it he is a traitor?"
If the curator of the Vankhede Stadium goes to the pitch, he is doing his job, but if Shah Rukh Khan steps over the pitch, he gets 5 years ban. I thought you were intelligent enough, though hatred and bias could blind one's judgment.
If there was agreement between Pakistan and United States to apprehend Bin Laden then Dr Afridi has committed no crime.It is also possible that he was an un witting tool. I doubt CIA would tell him they are out to capture Bin Laden.
Pakistanis have been shouting about case of Afia. Now it is American turn.
@Lalu Gee: strong text"Have you ever heard the word “Jurisdiction”. strong text
Interesting question-----what about it------I guess you are familiar with this concept "Jurisdiction". Does the law of a 'Geographical Jurisdiction' apply where an alleged crime is comitted? In our case here----- where is the location of Dr. Shakeel Afridi's purported act of "treason" ? Is it Abbottabad or the 'Tribal areas' ? I'm sure that you know the distance between these two places and their legal and administrative jurisdiction ----- would you wish to be tried by FCR for a purported crime supposedly comitted in Rawalpindi? I'm quite certain---you'll say, no. Then why it's Ok in this Afridi's case? He should have been tried right here by our own Pakistani penal law in a regular court, he should have been "presumed innocent" and provided the opportunity as guaranteed by our legal system and put through the "Due process of law". Why was it not done---I'll tell you why because his lawyers would have forced removal of veils from true nature of this so called crime and we all would have heared some disgusting truth revealed and forced to swallow some unpalatable and bitter facts.
Pakistani leaders you shouldn't have to talk to US' officials on Dr. Shakeel's issue if you have any self-respect,sovereignty and self-reliance and convey this message to US' officials in clear and open words that this is our extremely internal matter and don't try to give any statement of any kinds in this regard anew instead of saying or giving this statement that US' should respect this Pakistan's decision.
@John: We Pakistanis can survive easily without US' aid but the US-led NATO's forces can't survive in Afghanistan without Pakistan's help and keep it in your minds firmly and strongly that you are still using Pakistan's aerial/space territory for NATO's supply and requesting Pakistan to restore blocked NATO's supply routes because you are in Afghanistan we are not in USA and if Pakistan army withdraws its troops and check posts from Afghan border and disallow you to use Pakistan's aerial/space territory then remember you shall face the most ever worst consequences in Afghanistan because you have badly captured in Afghanistan and don't have any other ways to withdraw your troops from Afghanistan except Pakistan's routes.So mind your own business and never try to interfere in this Pakistan's extremely internal matter.
@kalchakra Why do you have to bring nuclear into everything? Dr. Afia was involved in funding terrorists and yet the people of Pakistan support her, call them her sister. Dr. Shakil Afridi helped to catch the guy responsible for thousands of lives and the people of Pakistan hate him? Clearly we are not a peace loving nation :)
@Ilyad: Correct. Also it is surprising to see there was no suo moto on how OBL came to be living in Abbottabad? Didn't that result in grave security risk for Pakistan, just like the writing of the memo did. Or didn't it? It's really confusing.
@Solomon2:
"I’ll give Pakistan as much respect as the world gave France when Captain Dreyfus was convicted."
While Captain Alfred Dreyfus was wrongfully convicted, Dr. Afridi is a paid agent of a foreign intelligence agency (CIA) and received undeclared illegal payments for his services, inspite of being a full time employee of the government. This is a blatant act of treason in any country of the world as law does not discriminate on the basis of cause. Under the US pressure GOP chose to try him in the FRC tribal court of his birth place and permanent residence, as USA chooses to try the people, who they really wanted to punish severely, in Virginia state and especially in Fairfax County. Recall Dr. Afia's case where she was handed 86 years prison time on the charges not related to terrorism. Had the Dr. Afridi been tried under the Pakistan Penal Code, he must have received death penalty.
The foreign office surely knows that the world does not respect kangaroo courts running in a banana republic. Do Pakistanis respect their own courts that it is asking the rest of the world to do so? Certainly not. Since they know the nature of justice delivered depends not on the applicability of the law but on the wagging of the stick.
@Shyam:
"Wise people of Pakistan, brace yourself for the fallout."
Thank you for your concern and felicitations for taking up the job of a sycophant of your new master, USA.
@Vicky:
"There are hundred of cases and serious issues are pending, but see Pakistani officials are so hardworking and fast to punish a Paki citizen ....."
Perhaps you didn't read the news article carefully. The case was tried in a tribal court working under RFC law, because Dr. Afridi is a resident of the tribal areas, and these courts do not work like Pakistani courts. Their procedures are simple and decisions come by quickly within days or weeks instead of decades.
After reading the comments so far and seeing the quality of comments made and the number of Recommend clicks, reminds me a recent comment of an Indian reader, "The collective productivity of all the great minds leading the nation is truly impressive.". It looks like that the educated public is also no exception.
@John:
"Pakistan is confronting US undesirably… Pakistan is digging its own grave !"
Like the Afghans did with USSR and now doing with the combined forces of 48 countries including the sole super power USA? Even after wasting 1,400 billion dollars and thousands of lives, you didn't learn a damn thing. Did you? By the way, Pakistan do not, and I emphasize do not, wish to confront USA unnecessarily, rather it is USA, in utter arrogance, bullying everyone.
@Uza Syed:
"And we must learn to respect the rights of your own citizen! —– give the man a chance to fight his case in a court of law and let there be at least some semblence of ‘due process’"
Have you ever heard the word "Jurisdiction". And more importantly, he has been saved from the punishment of treason, i.e. death penalty, had he been tried in a court of law acting under Pakistan Penal Code instead of of FCR tribal court. His working for a foreign spying agency has been proved which is an act of treason in any country - the cause does not change the fact - a severely punishable crime. Ask a simple question to yourself, If CIA or RAW contact you for your services, what would you do. Wouldn't you feel obliged to inform the concerned authorities as required by the law of the country, instead of keeping quite and accepting money from them as the doctor did, especially when you are a government employee already being paid for your services.
@Rajendra Kalkhande:
"It seems Pakistan’s laws apply selectively. Afridis are awarded with 33 years behind bars and Saeeds with freedom with armed escorts. Whole world is watching Pakistan’s justice system."
You can keep watching as long as you wish, but it would be better to watch your own face in the mirror and do some cleaning.
Pity the nation where a condemned terrorist is roaming free with armed escort whereas an individual that helped nabbed the heinous terrorist is sentenced to 33 years.
@choptocut: actually Rehman Malik is on record that the Govt was very close to capturing OBL - so they should all be put in the same cell but since they were close they may be given 25 years. The only problem is 'others' did not get the reward 'dollars'...
US should move to have Pakistan declared a state aiding and abetting terrorism, because this man helped in capture of one such criminal, and for that he has been imprisoned. CJ any suo-moto?
What bothers me is not as much this injustice in delivery of justice but silence of majority Pakistanis. If you cannot raise your voice for your fellow citizen, you think your screams would be heard in Kashmir or for that matter Palestine ?
Here is the first installment of respect from the US
http://tribune.com.pk/story/383739/us-senate-proposes-cut-in-aid-for-pakistan-over-shakil-afridi-verdict/
Isn't it ironic that the very same statement was made by the opposition parties after contempt conviction of PM Gilani!
In his book Musharraf has claimed to take bounty for handing over Al Qaed people to CIA without due process. If Musharraf does it he is patriot, if Afridi does it he is a traitor?
The US. doesn't really care if Dr. Afridi is imprisoned or not, but what actually concerns them is that going forward their local informants will stop supplying them with information that they deem critical to prevent future attacks.
Considering that Dr. Afridi is imprisoned, and Pakistan sadly still has a significant Talibanistic presence. It's probably the safest place for him. besides, once the next headline hits and we'll have forgotten him, he'll probably be quietly released and allowed to leave the country.
The U.S. could argue that Pakistan was unwilling or unable to get Bin Laden, which if true would make their action entirely legal under international law.
The real violator of Pakistan's sovereignty was Bin Laden, not the U.S. Who's been arrested for helping him?
and we need to respect each other’s legal processes,” Moazzam Ali Khan told reporters.
A. No Legal Representation.
B. No hearings in an open court.
C. No chance to defend himself.
Legal Processes, indeed.
It means some other govt dept will eat the 25 million bounty on OBL head
State of the Union of Pakistan Pakistani Army and agencies: (1) US should have informed us first on May 2, 2011 (2) Dr Shaid Afridi should have informed us first not US
He deserved that
Speaking of justice --- how's that Abbottabad investigation coming? It would appear that Pakistan justice is hit and miss.
Dr Afridi is now a bargaining tool for Pakistan establishment. In election year they will say give us Dr Aafia and we will let go of Dr Afridi.
@Pungi: Since when the tribal (FATA) courts become Pakistan's courts?? In these courts you are not even allowed to defend yourself! forget US, even I (a normal Pakistan) don't respect such courts.
I'll give Pakistan as much respect as the world gave France when Captain Dreyfus was convicted.
US just fueled the helicopters. The seal team was already trained.
@Pungi: "I wonder if U.S will ever respect other nation’s sovereignty,courts & parliament decisions.."
Afridi was NOT tried in Pakistani courts. HE was taken to FATA and sentenced without a right to defend by an assistant political agent under FCR.
"I think as far as the case of Afridi is concerned, it was in accordance with Pakistani laws and by the Pakistani courts, and we need to respect each other’s legal processes,"
Not true. Afridi lived in Abbotabad. Regular penal code applies to him not FCR. Pakistan court allows defence which he was not allowed. He was judged by assistant political agent per FCR which according to Pakistan's own laws does not apply to him.
Also the allegation on him had nothing to do with running an unauthorized polio campaign. It had to do with 'war against the state and taking action against state's interests'. USA is right in asking - does Pakistan consider killing OBL against its state interests?
@faheema: Please do not curse your judiciary. Dr Afridi was sentenced under the guise of a tribal court. Basically a kangaroo court.
Hell with such judiciary that award life imprisonment to a hero like Dr. Afridi, never probes or question who provided safe heaven to most wanted terrorist, and releases dreaded terrorists like Malik Ishaq. Whatever be the decision of our so-called independent judiciary, Dr. Afridi is and will be remain a hero who got us rid of most ugly-looking dreaded terrorist.
According to Pakistani laws and the Pakistani courts, Dr. Hafiz Saeed is innocent and Dr Shakil Afridi is guilty. And therefore, entire world (US included) must and should respect Pakistani laws and the Pakistani courts. Perhaps, the world should learn from Pakistan from the way it respects India and its sovereignty.
@kaalchakra:
"let all those who would betray the nation’s secrets be warned"
You make no sense. If Afridi leaked a secret to the US, are you implying that the Pakistani establishment was aware of OBLs presence and protecting him and OBL was a so called strategic asset. Are you saying he is being punished for leaking a state secret. OBL is not even a Pakistani National and was living in Pakistan illegally and thats whats even more ridiculous.
If you celebrate the doctor being put into jail for helping in the capture and killing of the worlds most wanted terrorist then I guess you might make some sense in a crazy world. Yes the doctor did not follow procedure and should be punished for this but to charge him for treason is madness. Further to deny him the right to defend himself is a joke. The doctor isnt a threat to humanity, he gave information to the US just like the ISI and Pakistan Army has been for the drone attacks. Lets charge all ISI and army people involved in giving the US info for drone attacks.
This country is full of hypocrisy, army and government allow CIA agents to work in this country, Pakistan's airspace and drones are used to kill Pakistanis but there is no shame there. But when a doctor helped CIA to capture the world's most wanted criminal, that has become a serious crime. Since when helping CIA has become a crime when our army and government is doing this for more than 30 years. Otherwise we are trying to tell the world that working against the world's most wanted man will considered treason under Pakistan law. Great!!!
Americans are going to send lots of respect your way; hope you are ready and prepared for it.
Pakistan is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. On the one hand elections are coming up so the ruling party needs to look tough against the US before the election, on the the other hand Pakistan's survivability is in question withou US money.
Other than the circus called Pakistani justice systems (there are numerous) no other justice system in the world will covict the good doctor, why? He helped get rid of a UN declared most wanted terrorist in the world. Is Pakistan saying they were protecting OBL, the Golden Goose laying American Dollars in billions?
The more Pakistani FO and politicians talk in public, more and more ridiculous they look to the entire world.
After the nuclear bomb, putting this traitor behind bars forever is the best decision Pakistan has taken. This is also a nuclear bomb really, let all those who would betray the nation's secrets be warned.
Leave alone US , no civilized person/ society/country will be happy over this doctors arrest and sentence. He was the one who disclosed details & facilitated capture of Worlds Most Wanted criminal. Yes it is right that he should have legally informed Pakistani agencies first. But this is a lesson to Pakistani Govt that the citizen/doctor did'nt have faith in the Govt, they knew that extremist in army,govt all supported his stay in pakistan, so he preffered to be informer to foreign govt (US).
The Pakistan's Foreign Office is lying. Dr. Shakeel Afridi's trial was not not even conducted under the Pakistani penal code. It was conducted under a traditional tribal jirga system, which has no constitutional oversight. So, on what sovereign grounds can the Foreign Office demand respect for a verdict, which does not follow Pakistan's own legal formalities.
Honorable Ali Khan please keep in mind when your own regime will not accept the order of the apex court then, how can you expect others will respect or follow the verdict of courts ? Secondly Mr. Mozzam masters never the respect of their slaves so please do not attempt to make fool to people. Please concentrate on something else.
@pungi. Afia is a terrorist. Afridi helped in capturing world's biggest terrorist. There is a clear difference. No wonder we are labelled a terrorist state, people here want terrorists to be released, courts here release terrorists and imprision anyone who help in capturing them. What a shameful situation.
Yeah the man deserves the death penalty for helping a foreign intelligence agency.
If this is the law then why it does not apply to LAL Masjid clerics? Why it does not apply to ISI Chiefs? Why it does not apply on Musharraf? Please note that ISI chiefs and Musharraf also help CIA find OBL though they never succeeded. Whereas LAL masjid clerics openly create their own state within state and incite the masses to turn down the then elected government, The government is putting egg on the face of Pakistan ha ha ah egg on their own faces ha ha
Dr. Afridi is given long sentence so quicly to use him as a bargaining tool, otherwise they could have awarded him death sentence and got rid of him. It depends on Dcotor's luck how soon this swap is done.
CIA and Dr Shakil Afridi used polio campaign for war related missions. CIA and Dr Shakil gave us more polio.
Isn't it ironic that the man who lead to the capture of OBL is sentenced to 33 years of imprisonment while the terrorists involved in killings get away from Pakistani laws and courts..
Punishment for treason is death. Why has he been spared just by awarding him jail term for 33 years ( in actual terms it is just about 10 years ? US should mind its own business and stop meddling with Pakistan's internal affairs.
One thing for Mr. Rohrabacher... DId Pakistan consider U.S being at war with Pakistan when they put Aafia Siddiqui behind bars?? Moreover... Afridi is Pakistani citizen so it is none of your business what Pakistani court orders to do with him...
They sentenced Afridi 33 years for helping Americans.. Now my question is, what is our govt. doing for the past 10 year? helping Americans right. So what's the difference?? If that's the case, why not sentence all govt traitors to 33 years imprisonment as well.
Wise people of Pakistan, brace yourself for the fallout.
I wonder if U.S will ever respect other nation's sovereignty,courts & parliament decisions..
The entire world was aghast when Dr.Afridi was jailed for 33 years. The world would like to know what the act of treason was ! Is helping to apprehend a mass-murderer an act of treason? Why doesn't it admit that Osama was important to Pakistan openly instead of punishing the doctor?
sometimes you are your own worst enemy.
What a justice! There are hundred of cases and serious issues are pending, but see Pakistani officials are so hardworking and fast to punish a Paki citizen who helped to catch Osama. Now they again get chance to bargain with USA and get some money because they know USA will must defend this guy. And Pakistani people will be happy to see the punishment for traitor. I only see funny government and funny people all around me.
Pakistan is confronting US undesirably... Pakistan is digging its own grave !
And we must learn to respect the rights of your own citizen! ----- give the man a chance to fight his case in a court of law and let there be at least some semblence of 'due process'. Moazam Khan which Pakistani courts and laws are you referring to and how come these laws and justice are so selective and varried in application?
Oh, nobody is under the impression that it's not within Pakistan's laws. That's kind of the whole problem.
It seems Pakistan's laws apply selectively. Afridis are awarded with 33 years behind bars and Saeeds with freedom with armed escorts. Whole world is watching Pakistan's justice system.