THE American citizen, Raymond Davis, involved in the murder of two Pakistani citizens, has been released. According to reports, he was fined for keeping unlicensed firearms … while 18 heirs of the murdered Pakistanis have received blood money. The lawyer of the relatives alleged that the latter were … forced to sign the Diyat papers. …

In countries like Pakistan, people commit suicide because of hunger every day — the news hardly gets a small, single-column space … [but] the murder of two Pakistanis by Raymond Davis makes banner headlines. The projection in the press and the way the maulvis were instigated is worth considering. In that way, the case was deliberately complicated. …It was over-projected in the media giving the impression that no other issue was more important…. It appears as if those behind the scenes were out to show their bargaining power vis-à-vis America.

…While the case was in the courts, negotiations between the heirs of the deceased on American visas and the amount of blood money took place but the media projected it as if the heirs were determined not to bargain away their honour. The impression given by the government indicated that for the first time it had decided to stand up to America.

…A court decision has set Raymond Davis free; therefore, we can offer no comments. But … it is not difficult to assess the situation that will now arise. Maulvis will take out processions for some days and will be provided an opportunity to vent their emotions. …The traces left by snake would provide maulvis an opportunity to spit out their venom. …It will happen again and again. So far as the government is concerned it can stand up neither with a sword nor a dagger, as Ghalib has said. — (March 17)

Selected and translated by S.T. Mirza