THIS refers to the letter ‘US pressure’ (Feb 13) which is justified in assuming that our successive governments had been succumbing to the diplomatic pressure exerted by the United States from time to time.

However, the argument is misplaced while citing the example of the Daniel Pearl case in which the federal government decided to file a review petition along with the Sindh government. It is unjust to say that the government did so under external pressure and that this decision was based on the telephonic conversation between our foreign minister and the US secretary of state.

To file a review petition is a legal matter and within the legal framework of the country. The cold-blooded murder of the American journalist by some misguided and bigoted persons or group was an incident that made headlines in the world media, which was quick to label Pakistan as one of the most dangerous countries.

The acquittal of Omar Sheikh in the Pearl murder case was shocking for not only the outside world, but for the people of Pakistan too, especially for the surviving family members of the many victims of terrorism. To opt for a review petition was a natural and a most sensible decision by the government. The US secretary of state might have discussed the matter with his Pakistani counterpart, but that does not mean that the government took this step under pressure.

The writer has cited another example of Raymond Davis. No doubt the killer of two young Pakistanis was flown back to the US, but that too was as per the law of the land, as the families of those innocent Pakistanis agreed to take blood money on that count. Had they refused to accept the blood money, Davis would have faced the law of the country.

No one can deny that every country in the world defends and safeguards the life and interests of its citizens. If the US government was actively following and discussing the two cases, it does not mean interference in the internal matters of Pakistan. It also does not mean that Pakistan or its judiciary takes decisions under pressure from the US.

We are an independent country and our governments take decisions in the best interest of the country and its citizens.

Aamir Aqil
Lahore

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2021