Pakistan – ostracised by Arabs, cheated by Turks and now all set to get sanctioned by America

Pakistan is plummeting to all-new ranges of low with every passing day as even its conventional allies like Saudi Arabia and UAE changing into arch-enemies below the tenure of Imran Khan. The latter’s love for Turkey noticed Pakistan lose the help of the Arab world, nevertheless, with the Abrahamic Accord, even an embattled Turkey rejected Pakistan. In what seems like a triple whammy, the USA is dropping hints that it’s going to not hesitate to sanction Pakistan within the eventuality of the murderers of American journalist Daniel Pearl strolling free.The US State Department expressed “deep concern” over the December twenty fourth ruling of the Sindh High Court over the discharge of Daniel Pearl’s killers.In a collection of tweets, the State Department mentioned, “We are deeply concerned by the reports of the December 24 ruling of Sindh High Court to release multiple terrorists responsible for the murder of Daniel Pearl. We have been assured that the accused have not been released at this time.”Adding, “We understand that this case is ongoing and will be following closely. We continue to stand with the Pearl family through this extremely difficult process.”The Department concluded by saying, “We continue to honour Daniel Pearl’s legacy as a courageous journalist.”(1/3)We are deeply involved by the reviews of the December 24 ruling of Sindh High Court to launch a number of terrorists accountable for the homicide of Daniel Pearl. We have been assured that the accused haven’t been launched right now.— State_SCA (@State_SCA) December 24, 2020It looks like the opportunity of Pearl’s murderers strolling scot-free hasn’t gone down effectively in America with sanctions probably on the desk if the Pakistan authorities doesn’t make sure that the terrorists proceed to languish in jail for the foreseeable future.Earlier in April, Pakistan’s Sindh High Court had overturned the demise sentence of the killer of Daniel Pearl and high al-Qaeda chief Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh. In 2002, Sheikh was convicted within the abduction and brutal homicide of American journalist Daniel Pearl in Karachi. The USA had slammed the decision whereas India had determined to take this matter to the FATF, thereby turning the warmth on Pakistan.Read More: Daniel Pearl’s killer is a free man in Pakistan now, the courtroom overturns terrorist Omar Saeed Sheikh’s demise penaltyThe Sindh High Court had discovered Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh responsible of the lesser cost of kidnapping and commuted his demise sentence to seven years in jail. The US had termed the decision as an “affront” to victims of terrorism in all places.Alice Wells, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia had tweeted, “The overturning of the convictions for Daniel Pearl’s murder is an affront to victims of terrorism everywhere.”Anurima Bhargava, the Commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom lambasted the decision because it highlighted the misplaced priorities of the Pakistani authorized system and the entire lack of accountability over the homicide of Daniel Pearl.“This court decision is outrageous and will hopefully be reversed by a higher court,” mentioned Congressman Brad Sherman whereas talking to Pakistan’s Ambassador to the U.S.Sheikh has been within the jail for the reason that previous 18 years as he was arrested for the kidnapping and killing of the Wall Street Journal’s correspondent, Daniel Pearl in Karachi in 2002. Pearl was later beheaded as he was investigating a narrative on the alleged hyperlinks between the ISI and al-Qaeda.Sheikh has had a infamous historical past. From 1994-1999 he spent his time in Indian prisons as he was arrested for kidnapping foreigners. He was pressured to let go off together with Masood Azhar by the Indian authorities through the 1999 Kandahar hijack. Sheikh can be suspected to have performed a task within the 9/11 assaults for which he hasn’t been tried but in Pakistan.If the Pakistan authorities doesn’t file a robust attraction towards any verdict which can see the terrorists stroll scot-free, it should solely improve the specter of American sanctions on Pakistan, because the US famously locations a really excessive worth on its residents. This time round, Pakistan might be on their lonesome as neither the Arab world nor Turkey could be there to do its bidding.