Laden informer sentenced to 33 years of jail

Anil Narendra

Recently, a Pakistani Court convicted Dr Shakeel Afridi of treason and sentenced him to 33 years of jail. He was the person, who had helped US intelligence agency CIA in locating and killing Al Qaeda Chief Osama bin Laden. We were shocked to hear about this decision of the Court and found it very strange. Mutahir Zeb Khan, the Political Representative of the Khyber tribal area, told the Pak newspaper Dawn that Shakeel was produced before a four-member tribal Court, which sentenced him to 33 years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 32 lakh. Later, Shakeel was sent to Peshawar Central Jail. Instead of Pakistan criminal code, Shakeel was tried under the Pontier Crime Regulation Act of British era. Under the Act, there is no provision of capital punishment for treason. Dr Shakeel had carried out an immunization programme under the directions of the CIA to enable them to collect blood samples of Osama and his family members. It was on the basis of the evidence thus collected that US was able to kill Osama bin Laden in a raid in May, last year. This action by Pakistan has once again proved that Pakistan is not sincere in his fight against terrorism. It also proves that in the heart of the hearts, Pakistan is sympathetic towards terrorists of all hues, whether they are from al Qaeda or from LeT, and maintains contact with them. Pakistan is bent upon to take revenge on all persons, who had been helpful in eliminating the most wanted terrorist of the world. Perhaps, Dr Shakeel would have been honoured in other parts of the world for his daring act, but in Pakistan, he is being considered as a traitor, who has helped a foreign intelligence agency against national interests. If this episode reveals the double game of Pakistan, then it has also created embarrassment for US, who failed to protect its 'source' or the informer. This episode will further add to the deterioration of relations between Pakistan and US. The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton had called this decision as unjust and un-called for. Meanwhile, a Panel of the US Senate has also reduced the aid being given to Islamabad. Hillary said that injustice had been done to Afridi. She regretted his conviction. He had provided invaluable help, on the basis of which one of the most notorious killers of the world could be eliminated. It was, in fact, in the interest of Pakistan, in the interest of the US and in the interest of the whole world. Meanwhile, PPP Chief Bilawal Bhutto has said that extending cooperation to any foreign intelligence agency is against the laws of any country. In a case for spying for Israel, US had sentenced life imprisonment. Ours is an independent Judiciary, which was restored by the PPP. A new chapter has been added in the deteriorating relations between Pakistan and US. We think this action by Pakistan will enhance the morale of terrorists.