The insistence by the US to hand over Raymond Davis and a continuing failure to produce the driver and the vehicle involved in the killing of Ibadur Rehaman are likely to further damage the US image in Pakistan. Washington has to realise that the stand it has taken is not helping its ally in the fight against terrorism. The incident of a functionary of the American Consulate in Lahore killing two persons and an SUV called by him crushing another to death have touched a raw nerve in Pakistan. The US attitude amounts to adding insult to injury.
Raymond Davis has pleaded in the court that he had killed the two youths in self-defence. A murder case has consequently been registered against him and he has been remanded in police custody. His identity and the nature of his visa, both vital issues in determining his status are under question. The US officials have issued conflicting statements about the latter. Last week he was described by a State Department spokesman as an employee of the US Consulate in Lahore whose name had been misrepresented. Now we are being told that he is a part of the diplomatic mission enjoying immunity under international law. But does this allow him to indulge in killing in the host country? He has been described by the ABC News as an employee of a private go by night security firm. Questions are being asked about how he came to Pakistan and who issued him a new visa after the expiry of one which expired in December 2009. Legal issues regarding killing in self-defence also remain to be settled by the courts.
It is, therefore, quite understandable on the part of the presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar to clarify that investigation being still in process, only the court can decide the fate of the accused. A similar message has reportedly been conveyed by Mian Nawaz Sharif to ambassador Munter, indicating that the mainstream parties are on the same page over the issue. While the US needs to wait for the courts verdict, those naturally perturbed over the killings and the subsequent US demands should also refrain from influencing the courts through statements and rallies or inflame public opinion by comparing the case to that of Aafia Siddiquis which belongs to an altogether different category. Courts being independent in Pakistan, whatever decision they take should be accepted by all parties.