Raymond – a God sent Opportunity

I feel the public opinion is being molded in a subtle way by the government,  part of the media and some 'intellectuals' in the favour of releasing Raymond if he otherwise could not be granted diplomatic immunity.  Raymond is no ordinary 'consultant' as is evident from the way the entire US government machinery including President Obama are acting in this matter. The USA with her immense political influence and TONNES of dollars can pressurise or buy anyone, including the families of the murdered who are being obliquely preached about the Islamic laws of Dieet and Qassas also. Swapping of Raymond with Dr. Afia is another possibility being talked about.

What is so mysterious about Raymond that the USA government is so keen to get him out of Pakistan at the earliest. Does he know too much to be in the strangers’ hands? Sen. Kerry would not hop around half of the world just for some ordinary U.S. consultant and try with everyone who matters here for his immediate release. From what is said and read about him in the media, there is little doubt that Raymond was in Pakistan on a very important and highly sensitive mission. There is a lot in JI’s accusation of him being the master mind behind the blasts in Pakistan especially on the religious and sectarian occasions and places. Strangely, the Drone attacks too have seized from the day Raymond has been dispossessed of his spy gear like satellite phones, wireless sets, cameras and telescopes, weapons and ammunitions etc.

If Raymond is that important and the U.S. that  keen to secure his return then it is a god sent opportunity for the rulers of Pakistan to regain their lost popularity.  They should rise to the occasion and not yield to any pressures or temptations.  Let the law take its own course and more importantly, the justice must not be tempered with or denied any truth and true facts by the administration. The entire nation will stand like a rock behind the government.

Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)