News
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Davis’ acquittal starts blame game between PML-N, PML-Q* Law minister says heirs of deceased accepted diyat to tune of Rs 200 million, four US visas
Staff Report
LAHORE: The acquittal of US citizen Raymond Davis accused in a double murder case by the Lahore additional sessions judge, under the diyat Law has started a blame game between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).
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. He said the heirs of the deceased accepted diyat to the tune of Rs 200 million along with four US visas offered by the accused who also paid a Rs 30,000 fine imposed on him by the court for keeping illegal arms.
The law minister claimed that neither the Punjab government nor any leader of the ruling party played any role in striking a deal between the two parties in a case which attracted global attention and strained diplomatic and military relations between Pakistan and the US.
The PML-Q took serious notice of the claim of the Punjab government and held the PML-N responsible for the release of Davis.
PML-Q central spokesperson Kamil Ali Agha said, the US national had been released through a backdoor deal and the nation was kept in the dark on the issue. He was of the view that the PML-N, which was responsible for the release, was now trying to mislead the people about its dubious role in the deal.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk