FAISALABAD – Angry protests erupted in different parts of the city after the victims’ families pardoned American Central Investigation Agency (CIA) agent Raymond Davis in a deal which gave them blood money in accordance with the Sharia Law. Faisalabad District Bar Association (DBA) boycotted the courts to protest against the decision and an emergency general house meeting was called by President Fawad Ahmed Cheema that passed a unanimous resolution condemning the decision. A number of religious organisations, non governmental organisations (NGOs) and worker groups took out rallies carrying banners against the US and Pakistan governments.
There have been further small-scale protests staged by members of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the city against the release of the American. PTI Lawyers Wing chief organiser Mian Abdul Rouf Advocate condemned the incident saying the dignity of Pakistan was sold at a trivial price. Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Faisalabad Engineer Azeem Ahmed Randhawa led a rally that proceeded to Ghanta Ghar Chowk. He said the pride of the whole Pakistani nation was auctioned to America that was a worst example of slavery. America was imposing itself as victorious and unrepentant, a rally participant said, adding that people condemned the behavior of the successors of the victims as well who had disappeared after getting money.
Another protester said the height of shame was that Americans were saying that they had not paid any blood money for the release of Davis and there were reports that the money was paid through Pakistani national exchequer. He appealed to the government that it must pay the blood money on behalf of all the killers in jails and release them to promote peace in the society.
