Kerry conveys to Sharif US concern over Lakhvi’s release
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WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State John Kerry conveyed the Obama administration’s concern on Zakiur Rahman Lakhvi’s release when he spoke with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif earlier this week, the US State Department said on Thursday.
At a news briefing, the department’s spokesperson Marie Harf said the conversation focused on Lakhvi’s release and the situation in Yemen.
The statement she read out, however, placed more emphasis on Lakhvi’s release than on the situation in Yemen.
Read: FO blames India for Lakhvi’s release
Secretary Kerry “expressed concern that the perpetrators of the 2008 terrorist attacks be brought to justice”, she said. Secretary Kerry also noted that 160 innocent people, including US citizens were killed in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, she said.
Secretary Kerry also underlined the need to keep “terrorists behind the bar”, said the State Department official, adding that in the conversation Prime Minister Sharif also expressed his commitment to “seek justice” for the victims of the attack.
While discussing the situation in Yemen, the two leaders noted that “the path forward has to be a dialogue,” Ms Harf said.
Responding to a question, Ms Harf reiterated the US position that sending or not sending troops to Yemen was Pakistan’s decision and the United States had no position on this.
Also read: US warns Pakistan over release of Lakhvi
When the journalist asked if the US would be “OK” if Pakistan sent troops, Ms Harf said: “I would not judge it either way. It is a decision for them.”
The United States, she said, was supporting the coalition but had no position on the Saudi request for Pakistani troops.
Responding to another question, she said the US Consulate General in Karachi was working closely with Pakistani authorities who were investigating Thursday’s shooting incident in Karachi in which a US citizen was injured.
Secretary Kerry called on the prime minister on Tuesday and an official statement issued in Islamabad said that they discussed the situation in Yemen and other issues.
Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2015
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Comments (70) Closed
Apr 17, 2015 07:27am
What a joke.
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Apr 17, 2015 07:43am
Mr. Kerry must be regretting giving out all those "fight against terrorism " dollars now
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Apr 17, 2015 07:44am
Pakistan doesn't care about what U.S thinks, their all weather friend is visiting soon and they are on 9th Cloud. What I fail to understand is that Pakistan has no similarity with their all weather friend. Their citizens dream of USA and follow the USA, how this relationship yields fruits in the long run would be interesting watch for political analysts.
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Apr 17, 2015 08:02am
Clearily, Pakistan just isn't getting away with it by any means. Evidences used to convict two Persons in a US court, and UNSC, have been given to Pakistan already. Let Lakhwi give his voice sample, he will nailed in a minute.
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Apr 17, 2015 08:14am
Express concern and keep hoping , what else can US do.
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Apr 17, 2015 08:24am
thanks kerry ! without US pressure, terrorists would roam freely
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Apr 17, 2015 08:38am
Becoming difficult to protect "Strategic Assets" .... :-(((((
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Apr 17, 2015 08:39am
US must stop intervening in other countries' judicial process !!!!! It must rather improve its own justice system; Guantanamo bay; 30 years in jail to a black person without crime; and only life imprisonment to 4 black water murderers of 14 Iraqis are enough to reflect the biases of US.!!!!!
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Apr 17, 2015 08:41am
Mr Kerry,stop making a mockery of Pakistans judiciary . We have a functional courts system where , just like in the US, everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
Pakistan will not be dictated by either the US or India.
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Apr 17, 2015 08:55am
There is a deal, India to start dialogue and pakistan not to let Lakhwi free, despite its previous stand India fulfilled the commitment by sending the Secretary to Pak. No matter how much Pak tries they cant let go Lakhwi free, its there turn to fulfill the commitment.
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Apr 17, 2015 09:18am
Mere conveying concern by USA to Pakistan over the release of Lakhvi every time is not enough as the perpetrator of Mumbai crime is rearrested every time he is released from jail.The USA should insist that the criminal should be handed over to India for trial.
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Apr 17, 2015 09:30am
@DAANISH US does not seek continuous aid from Pakistan.
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Apr 17, 2015 09:55am
US knows where and how to act . Let Hillary comes to power , Then we would be going to listen which ll be music to our ears
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Apr 17, 2015 10:08am
This is another blatant interference in soveriegn Pakistan's personal and internal matters by the USA.
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Apr 17, 2015 10:10am
And if not then what.
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Apr 17, 2015 10:14am
Indian pressure on Pakistan via US
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Apr 17, 2015 10:17am
@Danish, Show some respect buddy! Your country is getting US aid of billions of Dollars. And when someone offers help, you ought to respect him/her. Quit living in denial mode all the time. Time has come to wake up. I know you are mature enough to do that.
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Apr 17, 2015 10:21am
Kerry is counting hairs on NS's head.
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Apr 17, 2015 10:23am
what lakhvi did to US? also we should tell our concern about Afia sadiqui what was her fault?
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Apr 17, 2015 10:26am
Any concern about the broad day genocide being carried out by Indian forces in Kashmir Mr Kerry? What is sauce for the goose should also be sauce for the gander.
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Apr 17, 2015 10:28am
What proof they have against Lakhvi's involvement in Mumbai incident? How can courts give decision against him without any proof and we know that Mumbai incident was just a drama of Indian govt.
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Apr 17, 2015 10:28am
we will send him to fata or near kakool acadmy so you can use your drone.
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Apr 17, 2015 10:54am
@Madan
u cannot clap with one hand sir, Samjhota express culprits should also be tried.
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Apr 17, 2015 11:26am
Who say salavery has been abolished. The big powerful countries are the master and the small ones are their slaves. One should respect the laws of the land. Can we raise our concerns to the hypocritical world we live in. We are and we were never civilized.
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Apr 17, 2015 11:57am
Pakistan always get complains from US. I think they complain to keep some happy.
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Apr 17, 2015 11:59am
Lakhvi isn't actually free. He is shifted tp an "undisclosed location ".
Punjab govt has challanged court decision. Good will come out of it. Justice must PREVAIL.
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Apr 17, 2015 12:00pm
@mehboob malik
Punjab govt has challenged court decision. Lalhvi will be behind bars again InShaAllah
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Apr 17, 2015 12:12pm
Pakistan must do more...
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Apr 17, 2015 12:22pm
@mehboob malik How Ramond Davis got released from Pakistan courts and jail, in spite of documented proof, he shot and killed two Pakistani citizens. This is how Pakistan court operates.
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Apr 17, 2015 12:23pm
@Khanm If you take billion of dollars loans from US, you are bound to become slave.
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Apr 17, 2015 12:26pm
I wish in return Mr. Sharif conveyed Ms. Afia Siddiqui release.
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Apr 17, 2015 12:30pm
@Khanm When innocent people get killed and are traced back to some other country then this master slave scenario comes into fore. Terrorism does not help anyone and pulls you back.
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Apr 17, 2015 12:36pm
The US Department of State may be concerned, but the American people have never heard of Zakiur Rahman Lakhvi.
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Apr 17, 2015 12:41pm
@ MEHBOOB MALIK,
Indian Drama? Sad but not true. Do you know a person named David Headley?? Half Pakistani & half American?? Does he ring a bell?? He is in a jail in America. He was another mastermind behind The Attack. He has confessed to the FBI that he was involved and also said that all the terrorists involved were Pakistani national. India wants his extradition and has been pursuing it for a while now. Stop believing conspiracy theories buddy, its about time you realize the fact.
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Apr 17, 2015 01:12pm
@shyam have to run to US, to China to ask them to ask pakistan. Shows the insignificant value we hold of your country. Resolve kashmir and then deal directly, we may even listen.
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Apr 17, 2015 01:15pm
What about conveying Pakistan's concerns over the murder of Liaquat Ali Khan the first PM of Pakistan.
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Apr 17, 2015 01:21pm
@Hamid excellent understanding. Deal on kashmir is agreed. But both have to do their part. See Modi U turn on issues relating to pakistan. Loc quiet, kashmir heading for resolution.
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Apr 17, 2015 01:31pm
Kerry should not be interfering in Pakistan's internal affairs. Can the foreign office not tell him?
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Apr 17, 2015 01:56pm
Patron No 1 Saudi Arabia already angry. Now Patron no 2 US also angry. Pakistan get ready for more fuel shortages and problems
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Apr 17, 2015 02:24pm
@hyat
fyi...max number of citizens died in Mumbai carnage after Indians were US. These terrorists had specifically targeted them. So they are relevant stakeholders in this process and not merely supporting India. They are opposing terrorism in your country. Hope that makes sense.
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Apr 17, 2015 02:41pm
@Sunil For your kind information Raymond Davis is released as per the law and all the legal requirements were fulfilled by the govt to satisfy the courts.
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Apr 17, 2015 02:48pm
@proud-winner : Functional courts for poors only .
Why earlier judges & public prosicuters left this case in between earlier ?
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Apr 17, 2015 02:57pm
@mehboob malik Raymond Davis was released because of American pressure and your military,judiciary and government did a face saving exercise.Dont fool the world.
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Apr 17, 2015 03:00pm
The master has spoken. Now we will see the u turns.
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Apr 17, 2015 03:06pm
Kerry and the U.S should stay out of this and if they think that they can pay Pakistan peanuts and can buy their way they are mistaken most of Pakistani's are tired of this U.S aid or shal we call it heavy handed pay out to get their way if that is the case Pakistan should raise the amount
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Apr 17, 2015 03:15pm
The more we try to stretch Lakhvi trail more problems we will have. Kerry has called Nawaz Sharif to call our bluff and warn of consequences.
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Apr 17, 2015 03:25pm
@hyat
Very sad that you are unaware that LET terrorists under command of Lahvi killed citizens of eleven other countries including Americans in the 26/11 Mumbai massacre. A little reading on the case will not do any harm.
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Apr 17, 2015 03:30pm
Really, Mr. Kerry? And don't you have any concern for your police who shoot innocent Afro Americans in the back and are not put away in jail?
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Apr 17, 2015 03:38pm
Respect for other countries judicial system is must ... Innocent until proven guilty .... So either bring strong evidence and present in front of the court OR stay out of this ... Mr. Kerry ... Old habits die hard ... Lol ..
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Apr 17, 2015 03:40pm
I wonder when Modi is going to be put in jail for genocide in Gujarat and killing of muslims.
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Apr 17, 2015 03:41pm
When is Bush and Obama being put on trial for hundreds of thousands killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mr. Kerry?
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Apr 17, 2015 04:06pm
This is the reason from the last couple of decades most Pakistanis don't like America because it doesn't respect any other countries boundaries their judicial decisions while its own justice system need overhauling. Countries and people will start joining Russian camp if America will not change itself. They have to understand the world is changing fast.
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Apr 17, 2015 04:17pm
This is a very wrong move which will only embolden the extremists elements in our country.
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Apr 17, 2015 04:24pm
@CYRUS Neither have American people heard of Pakistan let alone its people.
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Apr 17, 2015 04:25pm
U.S. Concern is meddling with our internal affairs & pressuring judiciary for baised trial. We don't care what you think Mr. Kerry. Provide evidences if you are serious about Lakhvi's trial.
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Apr 17, 2015 04:51pm
@iqbal Malik try aligning with russia and you will have so many sanctions that your economy will cripple.moreover russia cant give you any aid as its economy is itself in ruins.
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Apr 17, 2015 04:58pm
There is a segment in Pakistani establishment that thinks they have won by releasing the criminal. In fact, it is Pakistan that will face the worst consequence to itself...not so much India or America.
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Apr 17, 2015 04:58pm
N.Shaif is very clever experienced Pak. Prime minister. By releasing Lakhvi, he is putting pressure on India to open dialogue with Pakistan to raise questions like Kasmiri, water issues. He is testing N. Modi's political skills too. Very clever indeed!
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Apr 17, 2015 05:06pm
An american secretary level person can dictate our PM ... that's the strength of a pure democratic and conscious clear nation who chose Kerry. and our PM will cherish such days rest of his life .... O ji kerry visited me. end, that his pinnacle and folk story for his grand children.
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Apr 17, 2015 05:20pm
@Zak 6 Americans were killed in those attacks. Get your facts straight. It is Pakistan which often writes to UN or USA seeking mediation.
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Apr 17, 2015 06:06pm
Seems the americans are almost as slow or just clueless as the standard indian. He's out on bail, he hasn't been "freed" per se. His movements are limited, the case isn't near conclusion.
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Apr 17, 2015 06:06pm
@Jason and American must be regretting invading Afghanistan and trying to please india
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Apr 17, 2015 06:18pm
If US interfere in our internal matters, I urge all Pakistanis living in US to pack up and head home immediately and that will cause extreme difficulty for the public who depend on Corner stores for their daily commerce.
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Apr 17, 2015 06:40pm
Valid concern, we should not allow criminals to hide behind nationality or religion. They should be kept away from society in jails, and justice should be served.
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Apr 17, 2015 07:26pm
@ZAK, please speak for yourself. Pakistani-Americans are proud to be Pakistani-Americans. US stands up for liberty and justice and we will keep doing that, if someone has problem with this principle, it will not stop us from doing the right thing.
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Apr 17, 2015 07:27pm
the whole country has bowed down heads against a few individuals and govt seems helpless .why country is listed one of the most unsafe for business man and tourist in the world. why no cricket in pakistan. it is upto my pakistani friends to think.
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Apr 17, 2015 07:41pm
The picture we are painting is that we are ready to take loans and AID but not do enough! Be it Saudi arabia or US or UAE
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Apr 17, 2015 07:44pm
This is a more receptive Pakistan Govt and will heed to calls from the uS and India. In my view, the High Court in Lahore will convict Lakhvi in 2 months
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Apr 17, 2015 07:59pm
Kerry has nothing to say on kashmir
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Apr 17, 2015 08:02pm
Soon, China will also tell Pakistan to take action against people behind Mumbai attack. Wait and see :)
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