'The unexpected turn of events and assertion of sovereignty by the Taliban has baffled the Pakistan security establishment.'
Legal experts in Pakistan say that Dr Shakil Afridi was tried under the Frontier Crimes Regulation, a law of the tribal areas, while he committed the crime in Abbottabad, which is outside its jurisdiction. Tahir Ali reports from Islamabad
The Pakistan government has finally introduced its much awaited reform package in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. The Pakistani constitution is not fully applicable in its lawless tribal areas; these areas are ruled as per the Frontier Crimes Regulation that was introduced by the British centuries ago. On Friday, a major plan of political reforms and development was unveiled in FATA. These measures aim to blunt the appeal for militancy.
The case of Pakistani doctor Shakeel Afridi took a new twist on Wednesday when a detailed order about his arrest and conviction stated that he has been punished for his links with a militant outfit, not for working with the Central Intelligence Agency and helping it locate Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. The order has revealed that Dr Afridi will be produced before another court for the trial over his links with the CIA.
The 33-year jail term given to Shakeel Afridi, the Pakistani doctor who helped the Central Intelligence Agency track Osama Bin Laden, was on Thursday overturned by an official who ordered a fresh trial.
A Pakistani doctor who allegedly helped the US to track down Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden has sought a fresh probe into his conviction in a treason case.