A court in Pakistan has delayed a hearing to decide whether an American who shot dead two men in Lahore last month has diplomatic immunity. The arrest of Raymond Davis has severely damaged relations between the countries. Much of the detail in the case remains unclear – the BBC’s Syed Shoaib Hasan looks at some of the unanswered questions.

The killings threaten to derail US-Pakistan ties

Is Raymond Davis a diplomat?

If you are thinking of a suavely dressed man in a three-piece suit who holds meetings with local officials to further or broaden his country’s agenda, you would be wrong. Mr Davis was definitely not employed for his diplomatic skills – he is more a “hands-on” person, working in what the US embassy says is its “administrative and technical affairs section”. Reports from the US say he is a former special forces soldier who left the military in 2003 and is working for the US embassy in Pakistan. As such, the US insists he is covered by the Vienna Convention which guarantees immunity from prosecution for all diplomatic staff.

Could he be a spy?

Many Pakistanis believe he is – there seem few other credible explanations as to why he was going around Lahore with a Glock pistol in a car with local number plates without informing local authorities.

It is a requirement for embassy staff – especially those from Western embassies – to inform local police of their movements, simply because they are prime targets for militants in Pakistan.

Mr Davis insists he was acting in self-defence

Mr Davis’s department in the US embassy is widely seen in Pakistan as a cover for Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operations. Mr Davis himself said he was a consultant employed by the US government. Researchers in the US say that since leaving the military, Mr Davis worked for a security firm called Hyperion LLC. But subsequent investigations by the US media have now shown that Hyperion exists only as a website. The offices that the company says it has in Orlando have been vacant for several years and the numbers on its website are unlisted.

Can Mr Davis be convicted for the murders?

Maybe. It all depends on how eager the Pakistani authorities are to punish him. The fact that he is possibly a spy does not mean he is not covered by diplomatic immunity. It is common practice for intelligence services across the world to send operatives under the cover of assignments to embassies.

Both Pakistani and US “diplomats” have been caught in such situations – and every time have been asked to leave the host country immediately with no possibility of a return. That is the maximum punishment that has been levied in the overwhelming majority of cases in countries which have signed the Vienna Convention. However, in some countries there are exceptions for serious offences committed, such as murder. Pakistan is one of those countries. The matter is now in the hands of the judiciary. But it is important to remember that Mr Davis has been charged with murder – the maximum sentence here is the death penalty.

Should Mr Davis have been carrying a gun?

Legally speaking, only Pakistani citizens with licences issued by the interior ministry are allowed to carry arms. No foreigner is allowed to carry arms, except soldiers or guards within the premises of an embassy. Both Pakistani nationals and foreigners caught carrying arms can be charged under a Pakistani criminal law which stipulates a jail term of six months to two years in addition to a fine. Mr Davis has also been charged under this law.

Was he acting in self-defence?

That was the initial plea made by Mr Davis and the US embassy. However, subsequent investigations by the police, forensic labs and the local and international media suggest that the two men were driving away from Mr Davis when they were shot. In February Lahore’s police chief said that Mr Davis was guilty of “cold-blooded murder” – he said that no fingerprints had been uncovered on the triggers of the pistols found on the bodies of the two men.

Matters were further inflamed by the suicide of the widow of one of the men killed by Mr Davis

Furthermore he said that tests had shown that the bullets remained in the magazines of their guns, not the chambers, suggesting they weren’t about to shoot him. On the face of it, this leaves Mr Davis’s claim that they were robbers – with one even apparently cocking a gun at his head – looking very thin.

In addition, police say ballistics evidence shows that the pair were shot in the back – which again suggests they were moving away from Mr Davis, rather than about to attack him.

Who were the Pakistanis that Mr Davis shot?

In his initial statement, Mr Davis said they were robbers who were trying to steal his valuables. He and the US embassy have maintained this story. However, the men have no criminal records as such. Both have been identified as residents of Lahore by the police. The pair were carrying licensed pistols – a fact which led many to believe they might indeed have been robbers. However, security sources in Lahore say that they were part-time or low-level operatives for the local intelligence services. Although reports are sketchy about what they were doing in relation to Mr Davis, security officials believe it could be the case of a surveillance operation gone horribly wrong. Pakistani intelligence services routinely tail and monitor all embassy staff, Western or otherwise.

What about the second car and its victim?

A side event to the main drama concerning Mr Davis was the fact a third man was also killed during the incident. He was an innocent bystander run over by a US embassy vehicle, which was initially said to have arrived to rescue Mr Davis. The fact that an embassy vehicle was able to get to the spot so quickly was a source of astonishment to anyone who is even vaguely aware of the geography of Lahore. Given the incident was over within minutes, it seems incredible that anyone could negotiate the 12km (7.4-mile) 40-minute drive in peak traffic in less than five minutes.

A third man on his motorbike was killed in the incident by a mystery US car

But subsequent investigations have now shown that the second car – a Toyota Landcruiser – was with Mr Davis at the time of the incident. In fact, according to eyewitnesses, Mr Davis was leading and clearing the way for the Toyota when the incident took place.

In the light of what happened afterwards, it seems Mr Davis was in “protective mode” and opened fire to “secure” whoever or whatever was in the Toyota – the interior of this vehicle was not visible as its windows were tinted. It is evident in local TV footage that the second vehicle is going away from Mr Davis at the time of the incident. As it disappears into the dust, Mr Davis calmly pulls over and gives himself up. Pakistani authorities have asked for the Landcruiser and its driver to be handed over – a request with which the US has yet to comply.

What about behind-the-scenes negotiations?

As well as public pressure, US officials have also privately warned Pakistan’s government of far-reaching and severe consequences if Mr Davis is convicted. Unnamed US officials have also used the media to issue veiled warnings to Pakistan that diplomatic ties could be cut and all aid stopped. Despite Islamabad’s public stance on Mr Davis, Pakistani officials are said to have privately assured Washington that he will eventually be released. However, public pressure means that at the moment this could lead to a massive anti-government backlash. Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani, has hinted that blood money could be paid to the families of the two men Mr Davis admits shooting, which could enable his release. There is speculation that US officials may try to establish contacts with the families in this regard. However, it is not clear that Mr Davis has been charged under laws which would allow blood money to be paid.

Source – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12491288

The timings are:

LGS Johar Town

Saturday, 13th Sept at
1:30 – 2:30
2:30 – 3:30
3:30 – 4:30

LGS Defence

Sunday, 14th Sept at
10:30 – 11:30
11:30 – 12:30
12:30 – 1:30
2:30 – 3:30

The ticket price is Rs. 350. Ticket can be bought on spot.

There will also be a talk by Mr. Faisal Qureshi (founder chairperson of Mensa Pakistan, host of looseends, Breakfast at Dawn and Ankahi) at LGS Defence on Sunday 14th Sept at 1:30pm. The topic for the talk is Youth Responsibility.

Mensa Pakistan is an affiliate of Mensa International, The World Wide Higher IQ Society,

The aim of the organization as described under its constitution is, “Mensa provides a forum for intellectual exchange among members. Its activities include the exchange of ideas by lectures, discussions, journals, special-interest groups, and local, regional, national, and international gatherings; the investigations of members’ opinions and attitudes; and assistance to researchers, inside and outside Mensa, in projects dealing with intelligence or Mensa.”

Opee says: Yummmy to Tummmy

Though the prices at the various eateries of the city have substantially increased as compared to last year, this has not barred Lahoris from going out for iftar or sehr, a restaurant manager at MM Alam Road said. The restaurants across the city have introduced special Ramazan offers to lure costumers and are attempting to counter inflation to an extent by offering dinner in addition to iftar.

An official of a multinational fast food restaurant on MM Alam Road said that the restaurant is actually more packed than it had been last year, adding that seats were available on first-come-first-serve basis, and that they have had to bar customers as there were no tables available. Another restaurant official said that restaurants have offered all sorts of deals to accommodate all sorts of customers.

The manager of a restaurant on MM Alam Road said that more people have also started going out for sehr as compared to last year.

Another restaurant manager said that they only offer iftar packages after a reservation has been made, as otherwise many customers cannot find an available table. Saqib, a customer at a restaurant, said that iftar parties were held in Ramazan as late night parties could not be held because of sehr, adding that restaurants had also countered inflation by offering all sorts of economical deals.

Here are a few eateries and what they have to offer during Ramazan

Salt ‘n Pepper Village

The restaurant is a popular dining spot for Lahoris and it is offering a sehr buffet for Rs 390. An Iftar plus dinner buffet is for Rs 750, while the regular dinner buffet, after iftar, is for Rs 690.

Kentucky Fried Chicken

Lahoris have taken a liking to this fast food outlet because of its chicken meals. KFC has three special Ramazan deals. The value deal for iftar includes a zinger, a chicken piece and a drink for Rs 300. The family deal, which is generally available for Rs 900 has been made available for Rs 700. The sehr deal is available for Rs 300 and is available from 2am to till sehr.

Ziafat

This eatery is offering an iftar plus dinner buffet for Rs 670, while a dinner buffet is offered for Rs 620.

Nando’s

Nando’s is offering three special Ramazan deals. A quarter chicken is available for Rs 300, steak for Rs 350 and a half-chicken for Rs 400.

Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut has also arranged special iftar and sehr packages for Ramazan. Iftar Buffet (of course, the notorious all-you-can-eat-deal): Rs 388 (exclusive of tax). It is offering three packages for sehr; a personal pan pizza with a soft drink for Rs 160, a regular pizza with two soft drinks for Rs 320 and a large pizza with a 1.5 litre bottle or pitcher of a soft drink (all packages are exclusive of taxes).

Although the eateries mentioned above only manage to scratch the surface of Lahore’s vast list of eateries, they are amongst the most frequented by Lahoris during Ramazan. There is ample time to get together with friends or family and book a table at any one of the above-mentioned places for either sehr or iftar or both.

Source: Ali Usman @ Daily Times.

One of the things I learned while in overseas (is to stop when a traffic police man tells me to stop), literally saved my life.

Somehow I was lucky enough to only have minor cuts and bruises while some really sharp pieces of metal landed inside my car and completely missed me.It was one of the most un-nerving experience of my life since Ojri Camp and also one of the saddest. I would really hope such events would stop in our country and as I fail to see what they achieve except for killing many innocent. ]]> http://lahore.metblogs.com/2008/07/07/bomb-blast-in-islamabad-another-a-pakistani-speaks-about-his-live-experience/feed/ 4 http://lahore.metblogs.com/2008/06/13/lahoris-on-the-move/ http://lahore.metblogs.com/2008/06/13/lahoris-on-the-move/#comments Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:05:08 +0000 Opee http://lahore.metblogs.com/2008/06/13/lahoris-on-the-move/ … Standing united with rest of Pakistan

On a somewhat less spectacular note, there has been support, guidance and participation of respected professors of Lahore, Mr. Liaquat Majeed Sheikh (universally known as LMS) and Dr. Qaiser Durrani.

1 – People are being freed.
2 – Musharraf went to KSA for important talks (whatever it could be)
3 – Bush has also (in hidden words) given green signal in his last speech (which I don’t but many can relate)
4 – Finally IK is released

Why the hell (with due respect), Benazir is issuing the following statement:

Of course she wants to take full advantage of these facts in her own name and now (just before emergency could be lifted up – I wish) she is speaking out in all the Press and Media channels in rather an ORDERING tone: ‘Immediately end the emergency’.

Well, I have no conviction to run an anti-benazir campaign here. But indeed, she well knows how to play with words, media and knows well when to hit where! :)

However, IK’s (free from prison) story is down there somewhere, But BB’s demand is publishing with flying colours right on the top on Jang. Do I sound jealous!? :)

* Anyways, I hope it all ends soon. Highly improbable but I really wish to see IK win.

* My Biased opinion, not necessarily backed by Lahore Metblogs Guilders specifically.

9th November 2007
15:39hrs: Peaceful Protest by 500 – 600 students held after Juma Prayers.
15:44hrs: Some early photos aired showing students wearing Black Arm Bands gathered peacefully for an effective protest.
15:52hrs: Media came for coverage but was not allowed by the organizers to shoot the videos and photos.

Details:

[09/09/07 - 15:39hrs]
A peaceful protest was held today at FAST-NU (National University of Emerging Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan aka FAST – NUCES or formerly, SAHICS). Around 500-600 students gathered backstage after Jumma Prayers for a Peaceful protest. All the students were Wearing Black Arm Bands as a sign of protest. Few faculty members also addressed the student gathering.

More details and updates about the protest.. coming up!

[09/09/07 - 15:44hrs]
Some early photos aired showing students wearing Black Arm Bands gathered peacefully for an effective protest. Students and some faculty members gathered at the backstage of the campus after Jumma prayer.

[09/09/07 - 15:52hrs]
Media did come for coverage but they were not allowed to take any pictures or videos. Videos and pictures were taken by FAST-NU students themselves and will be published later.

A few students/profession als (alumni of FAST / LUMS / UET working at places around Davis road) gathered at Lahore Press Club. Before the crowd started to grow, police was already there. When we, the protesters were just 5-10, they were already 15-20 in number, some in police uniform and some in plain clothes. As the number of protesters grew to around 20 or a bit more when the people passing by also joined us (or just stayed there to watch the ‘drama’) the police started getting a bit violent. They started to push every individual to move and started asking them where are you from and noting down the details? Obviously none told them the correct information. The crowd was thus easily dispersed by the police.

An alumni who is a UETian, Software Engineer at Techlogix (a highly renowned Software House of Pakistan), son of an ex-PLMN MNA, managed to enter into the Press Club where various channels recorded his interview. Later when he came out , the police surrounded him (thinking of him as the one organizing this activity) and asked him details about this ‘protest’. It was quite obvious to see the stress on the faces of policemen who were afraid to see this small crowd. They were continuously calling someone and letting them know of whats happening. They carried on updating someone on the phone that now this and this number of guys from FAST/LUMS/UET are here.

Later, I was interviewed by GEO/ARY/AAJ when they recorded videos at the gate of press club. I was happy to hear their first question asked by the media guys , “You are from LUMS or FAST?” , expecting us to be representing student body.

November 2007
14:23hrs: Police at FAST-Lahore
14:45hrs: One protesting student arrested by Police.
14:52hrs: Gates closed, seems like students are being dispersed.
14:59hrs: Police raided inside the Campus. 3 Arrested.
15.04hrs: Campus surrounded well. No one can come in or go out!
15:19hrs: Devestated by the situation. Students are trying to reach GEO and ARY news channels.
15:29hrs: Photos are being taken by the students ‘emselves. GEO and ARY teams are approaching soon.
15:49hrs: Student arrested. Reported as beaten by the Police.
15:53hrs: Police released 3 students arrested earlier. Faculty members and former University Directors are out there with the studnets.
16:17hrs: Female Students are allowed to go. One boy remained in custody for some time.
16:19hrs: Cops allowing Female students to leave. One of current permanent faculty of FAST has burst with harsh tone, protesting against Musharraf’s policies and unsolicited steps.
16:26hrs: Policemen gone. Students were addressed by faculty.
16:44hrs: Peaceful protest ended, peacefully. Patience of Faculty Members, Students and Police Management (as they haven’t been seen ‘that’ brutal and released the students) is commendable. Some more updates by the students.
16:45hrs: “Do not participate in the protest! we will not delay exams– mids or finals and will not give any holidays so concentrate on ur studies!” – Campus Admin urged responsibly.
17:06hrs: Protest Plan of Friday will be announced later. There were at least FIVE faculty members including Senior Professors were taking part. Arrested guy was not among protestors! (See details).

Details:

[09/07 - 14:23hrs]
Around one hundred students gathered at the gate of FAST, Lahore along with a few faculty members for a peaceful protest against emergency. Police, after getting this information and expecting that this crowd will grow large in numbers and will be heading to somewhere , reached the campus. Seeing the police, all the protectors moved into the campus through the gate. The police later closed the gates of FAST and is still there monitoring the situation though the purpose was just to show a peaceful protest and it was totally an unplanned activity, the crowd was not heading anywhere other than to protest being there at the campus gate.

[09/07 - 14:45hrs]
Adding more, Police has arrested one of the students who was protesting!

[09/07 - 14:52hrs]
The students had *already* dispersed *peacefully* when the police closed the gates

[09/07 - 14:59hrs]
Update: Police entered into the campus and arrested 3 guys. They have surrounded the campus.

[09/07 - 15:04hrs]
The campus has been surrounded no one can come in and no one can go out.

[09/07 - 15:19hrs]
GEO and ARY are being called to cover FAST by a student! (Students are crossing their fingers as to see ‘What happens now…’

[09/07 - 15:29hrs]
Update: ARY and GEO has been called though not yet reached the campus. Photos and videos are been taken and will be published today later. The police is till in the campus, surrounding it and some of them inside the campus. Students are urging if any contacts on AAJ TV Network will be appreciated.

Does the fact that Waseem Sajjad is the Chancellor and Musharraf is the Patron of this University make people stop? NO !

[09/07 - 15:49hrs]
A student has been beaten by the police.

[09/07 - 15:53hrs]
Update: Police has released the three guys arrested earlier but are still inside the campus insisting that the guys who were holding the placards, charts etc should be handed over to police’s custody. The atmosphere is quite tense a the campus. Other faculty members are out there with the students.

[09/07 - 16:17hrs]
Female students have been allowed to go but not the male students yet. A student of Sahics’06 batch, was taken in custody for some time.

[09/07 - 16:19hrs]
Update: The cops are allowing the females students to move out of the campus. The guy who was beaten up by the police is still in their custody. The police is not moving away thinking if they will move, it might turn out to be a large-scale protest. A Faculty member, has talked to the police in quite a harsh tone and openly blamed Mush.

[09/07 - 16:22hrs]
First Amateur Video Released on Youtube – http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=EigEkmX8kX4

(A guy of Sahics ’02 batch) managed to capture that video, though it depicts the situation after the protest.

[09/07 - 16:26hrs]
Update: All policemen have gone. Students were addressed by faculty members.

[09/07 - 16:44hrs]
Update: Police forced the university administration to ask the students to disperse. Admin along with a faculty member talked to the students and advised them to get dispersed and move to homes in groups.

The cops have been insisting that those guys holding placards should be handed over to them during their talks with the faculty. The faculty refused to do so and the placards had been already hide. Since, It wasn’t a planned protest and the students themselves had dispersed earlier when the police arrived, now after the advice of the faculty member, the students are moving homes. The cops have left the campus but some of them still waiting outside the campus.

The idea was just to show a peaceful protest which has been successfully managed and has been made more successful with the intervention of cops!

[09/07 - 16:45hrs]
The campus admin also said that – “Do not participate in the protest! we will not delay exams– mids or finals and will not give any holidays so concentrate on ur studies!”. While the organizers say that The peaceful struggle will be continued!

[09/07 - 17:06hrs]
The number of faculty members taking part in the protest (which was planned about an hour before the protest, not even announced to all) was at least FIVE including senior professors. Protest plan of friday to be announced later.

PS: The arrested guy was released later. He was NOT from the protestors, he got arrested when he was told that ‘do not go out’ and he still tried to exit.

Stay there for more updates as it happens, in few minutes.