Blame game erupts between PML-N, PML-Q over Raymond Davis’ acquittal
March 17th, 2011 - 5:35 pm ICT by ANILahore, Mar 17(ANI): The acquittal of double murder-accused CIA contractor Raymond Davis under the ‘diyat’ law has triggered a blame game between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).
Davis, who was arrested in Lahore for killing two Pakistani youths on January 27, was released on Wednesday as the bereaved families pardoned him in return for blood-money worth 200 million rupees and US visas.
While the ruling party of Punjab, the PML-N, tried to deny the accusation that it had played any role in striking a deal between Davis and the heirs of the deceased, the PML-Q blamed the PML-N for selling off what it called national pride.
Law Minister Rana Sanaullah told the media that the acquittal of Davis took place under a recognised law of the country, the Daily Times reports.
He said the heirs of the deceased accepted diyat to the tune of 200 million rupees along with four US visas offered by the accused, who also paid a 30,000-rupee fine imposed on him by the court for keeping illegal arms.The law minister claimed that neither the Punjab government nor any PML-N leader played any role in striking a deal between the two parties in a case that attracted global attention and strained diplomatic and military relations between Pakistan and the United States.The PML-Q took serious notice of the Punjab government’s claim, and held the PML-N responsible for the release of Davis.PML-Q central spokesperson Kamil Ali Agha said that the US national had been released through a backdoor deal and the entire nation was kept in the dark on the issue.
He was of the view that the PML-N, which he said was responsible for the release, was now trying to mislead the people about its dubious role in the deal. (ANI)
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- Davis' release challenged in Lahore High Court - Mar 17, 2011
- Raymond Davis' release in accordance with Shariah laws: Pak Punjab Governor - Mar 21, 2011
- Pak NA motion calls to debate state institutions' role in Davis' acquittal - Mar 19, 2011
- Pakistan opposition demands probe into Raymond Davis' release - Apr 12, 2011
- Nawaz terms PML-Q supporters of dictators, rules out alliance - Feb 22, 2011
- Victims' heirs weren't under any pressure to accept blood money, pardon Davis: Lawyer - Mar 21, 2011
- Pakistan's ruling party, PML-Q try to corner Nawaz Sharif - Oct 27, 2010
- Judge who acquitted Davis of double murder charges goes on leave - Mar 17, 2011
- Raymond Davis himself paid blood money: Pak Attorney General - Mar 19, 2011
- Lahore HC gives both Pak, Punjab govts 10 days to recover heirs of Davis' victims - Apr 01, 2011
- PML-N decides to remove PPP ministers from Pak Punjab govt - Feb 23, 2011
- Davis pardoned, released in accordance with Pakistani law: White House - Mar 17, 2011
- Meeting between Zardari, Nawaz expected soon: Raja Riaz - Nov 25, 2010
- Pak Punjab Govt didn't bow to foreign pressure to release Davis despite threats: Shahbaz - Mar 29, 2011
Tags: acquittal, agha, bereaved families, blame game, blood money, cia contractor, double murder, dubious role, global attention, illegal arms, law minister, military relations, national pride, pakistan muslim league, pakistan muslim league nawaz, pml n, punjab government, raymond davis, ruling party, rupees