The clearest indication, among very many, that Pakistan is no ally of the United States, and is aligned with the global jihad force.
“Hero doctor who risked his life tracking down Osama bin Laden for the U.S. remains locked in a Pakistani jail after seven years without a trial, despite American promises to get him freed,” Associated Press, January 22, 2018:
Shakil Afridi has languished in jail for years – since 2011, when the Pakistani doctor used a vaccination scam in an attempt to identify Osama bin Laden’s home, aiding U.S. Navy Seals who tracked and killed the al-Qaida leader.
Americans might wonder how Pakistan could imprison a man who helped track down the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. Pakistanis are apt to ask a different question: how could the United States betray its trust and cheapen its sovereignty with a secret nighttime raid that shamed the military and its intelligence agencies?
‘The Shakil Afridi saga is the perfect metaphor for U.S-Pakistan relations’ – a growing tangle of mistrust and miscommunication that threatens to jeopardize key efforts against terrorism, said Michael Kugelman, Asia program deputy director at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington.
The U.S. believes its financial support entitles it to Pakistan’s backing in its efforts to defeat the Taliban – as a candidate, Donald Trump pledged to free Afridi, telling Fox News in April 2016 he would get him out of prison in ‘two minutes. … Because we give a lot of aid to Pakistan.’ But Pakistan is resentful of what it sees as U.S. interference in its affairs.
Mohammed Amir Rana, director of the independent Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies in Islamabad, said the trust deficit between the two countries is an old story that won’t be rewritten until Pakistan and the U.S. revise their expectations of each other, recognize their divergent security concerns and plot an Afghan war strategy, other than the current one which is to both kill and talk to the Taliban.
‘Shakil Afridi (is) part of the larger puzzle,’ he said.
Afridi hasn’t seen his lawyer since 2012 and his wife and children are his only visitors. For two years his file ‘disappeared,’ delaying a court appeal that still hasn’t proceeded. The courts now say a prosecutor is unavailable, his lawyer, Qamar Nadeem Afridi, told The Associated Press.
‘Everyone is afraid to even talk about him, to mention his name,’ and not without reason, said Nadeem, who is also Afridi’s cousin….
elee says
(1) Get his man out of that Muslim shithole;
(2) Can someone explain to me how the British could have possibly, conceivably, have ever run the joint worse than the natives have for half a century? I mean, just out of academic curiosity and all……
Hari Singh says
The USA should insist that he be released and sent to America . Perhaps they could exchange him for one of the Pakistani terrorist in American jails.
It is unfortunate that Shakil Afridi has been blamed for giving the intelligence when it was common knowledge, at least amongst Indians, especially ex-military and the Sikh community than Bin Laden was living down the block from the Pakistani Jihad college, AKA Their National Military Academy. I’m sure that India advised the USA.
Fred H says
That shithole has a legal system that is supposedly based on English law. In theory, therefore, a writ of habeus corpus would get him out of jail; that is, if the lawyer who lodges the writ at court doesn’t get shot dead immediately.
Linde Barrera says
Disgraceful and demonic. Pakistan seems to imprison good people (whatever happened to Asia Bibi?) who do not jive with the Islamic government’s vile agendas.?
lawrence benjamin says
Linde,Pakistan is a true ISLAMIC STATE where Christians are routinely persecuted while the so called Christian West does nothing to help. Why not take them out of Pakistan and save their lives and honour from the wolves of Allah who hate and despise the Christians of any colour .Muslims are the most VILE people to live with.They can never be trusted.
Karen says
It fills me with absolute shame that this good man is still in jail. We owe him so much. I hope he can forgive us, some day.
The Pakistani government no doubt is applying some letter of the law to hold Dr. Afridi, after having allowed bin Laden the run of the town.
Their military was shamed by the nighttime raid on bin Laden? Boo hoo.
elee says
They have no shame. I don’t think it’s part of their culture.
Karen says
You bring up an interesting point. The so-called “honor” culture is actually a shame-based culture, where shame is imposed from external sources. (Like getting caught red handed protecting bin Laden.) In Western ‘guilt’ cultures, shame in induced internally, by an individual’s conscience. Perhaps they felt shame, but I doubt they felt any guilt.
LeftisruiningCanada says
The “Community” is their conscience.
It’s why they make good fascists.
Karen says
So true! The ultimate in group-think.
gravenimage says
Good points, Karen.
Tjhawk says
I too feel shame for this national disgrace. Finally, a Pakistani asylum seeker who deserves our support, and we let him rot in prison.
I felt no shame at all when the media told us what a disgrace it was for female guards at Abu Ghraib to force noble muslim prisoners to pose in their underwear and form nude butt pyramids. This was described as the most egregious torture, and we were all supposed to hang our heads in national shame. All I could do was laugh.
I haven’t heard a word about this good man from the MSM, as opposed to continuous coverage of any slight to a preferred victimhood group. Who determines our outrage??
Yes Karen, I too am ashamed.
Karen says
Fantastic points, Tjhawk.
gravenimage says
Good post.
WPM says
The Pakistani Military and their “intelligence agency” that is an oxymoron if there ever was one are upset they could not tip off Bin Laden about the raid .They have no shame as true Islamics are incapable of shame or self reflection except they are told they are the “best of People” while the rest of us are the worst of creatures. America is still sending some aid to this Islamic shithole, Trump should cut all aid and have economic block on all Pakistan goods coming into America .We can get our cheap textiles, shoes and other crap from some other country that might respect right from wrong when dealing with heros like this doctor. It is time for America to side with India fully on India,s side of the borderland war with Pakistan. America does not need Pakistan as a friend remove all aid ,remove any trade with them, do not allow any more immigration from Pakistan ,anyone getting their green card renewed reject them from the America. Deport any and all Pakistan people with expired visas ,any company in America that wants to still do business with Pakistan will be heavily fine .Time to hurt them economical ,if China or someone else want to come to there aid go ahead, they will get little in return from Pakistan except thief of aid and more terrorism in there own lands.
elee says
Hey Americans, spend ten minutes emailing your delegates to Congress to demand action for this man. Maybe even put a tickler in your system to send another email in a month or two, if you’re computer sophisticated. If you’re not American, email your local American embassy or consulate. Time to make some noise. Oh and if you like include something about Pakistan being no ally of America or of human rights.
gravenimage says
Agreed, elee.
Karen says
Yes, that is a great idea, and I’ll do it.
mortimer says
Pres. Trump should make it a priority to bring Dr. Shakil Afridi to the United States. Not only is the right thing to do, but it will send a message to America’s friends that they will not be left behind.
Terry Gain says
I assume Trump is doing what he can. Can you imagine Trump introducing Dr Afridi at his SOTU address. It would bring the house down.
Karen says
Oh my gosh. Yes!!
gravenimage says
Agreed, Mortimer.
lebel says
Taqqiya level 250 – the goal here is to convince the naive infidels that maybe one Muslim out of 1.5 billion is not evil.
gravenimage says
Look–the appalling lebel has nothing critical to say about imprisoning a good man for leading to the apprehension of the greatest terrorist of modern times. Instead, he castigates the fitlhy Infidels for caring.
Just repulsive.
Karen says
i have admired lebel for discussing things respectfully when we’ve interacted. But using the old ploy of twisting motivations….I’m disappointed. I can admire Dr. Afridi and wish him well without hating the rest of the Muslim world. Sadly, he reveals his own prejudices this way.
lebel says
Hi Karen, I am simply using jihadwatch logic. There is no limit to Taqqiya and many, many jihadwatchers say that ALL muslims are this or that. Is this guy a Muslim? yes – so he believes that Muhamad was not evil and that Islam is not evil. He is therefore evil as per jihadwatch logic. Don’t believe me? read the comments? or read anything by Hugh Fitzgerald
Believe it or not, this is one of the only ways one can communicate on jihadwatch.
Karen says
lebel, I give you a lot of credit for your ability to look at criticism directly. And I know it’s painful because it’s a deeply personal topic. On JW, I think there are a variety of styles; some are very analytical, some are more observational, some casual, some humorous, some provocative. I know that in my own comments I tend to paint with a broader brush when referring to a certain context, such as Saudi Arabia, where there is much more homogeneity of thought, at least publically. So, yes, I see your point, but I’ll say this; I think that in many instances, people are talking more about the tenets of Islam, and not Muslims. So, when you read “Muslims do this or that”, often they are really saying “Islam teaches this or that”.
I can truly say to you, that in the 17 years since 9/11, not one person has ever said to me “I hate Muslims”. I think this can be hard to believe when you read a blog that is very critical of Islam itself, or CAIR, or “leadership” figures like Linda Sarsour, nutty imams, deceptive Islamists, etc. There is also a lot of horror about some of the mob mentality in some of the Muslim majority countries overseas, and those individuals come into a lot of direct criticism. I reserve a lot of scorn myself for the Pakistani government, and the mobs there who torment religious minorities. But in the end, I don’t hate a single Muslim because they are Muslim, and I don’t know anyone who does! 🙂
gravenimage says
lebel is just trying to smear anyone who dares to stand against the horrors of Jihad.
Notice he never has any criticism for those actually waging Jihad.
Of course, one needs to be cautious with any avowed Muslims. But many Muslims are better than their ugly creed.
Someone like Dr. Afridi who has clearly worked against Jihad–at great risk to himself–has clearly proven his bona fides, and so should receive every support from us.
This is not complex, nor is it inconsistent, despite lebel’s pretending that it is.
gungfugilman says
The CIA and/or the Seals should have seen this coming, this guy and his family should have been put under protection as the raid was happening and then given the $50 million reward and US citizenship
gravenimage says
+1
LeftisruiningCanada says
If the West hadn’t become, in general, a post-Christian wasteland, it would have been great to bring persecuted Christians in from all these islamic death camps (aka “countries”), while denying 99.9% of muslims entry for any reason.
Alas, that will only be the subject of alternate history fiction, but what a pleasant fiction it is.
gravenimage says
It would still be a good thing, LeftisruiningCanada. I know I would welcome them.
LeftisruiningCanada says
Absolutely. If only the will was there…
But no, it would be too racist and insulting to islam to favor the much abused Christians….and everybody knows how homophobic the Christians are anyway.
Z says
And people wonder why we cut off financial aid for Pakistan
gravenimage says
Pakistan: Doctor who helped US find Osama still in jail after seven years, with no trial
…………………
Thanks for the update on this shameful story. President Trump should pressure Pakistan to free this brave man. We should give Shakil Afridi and his family asylum.
Karen says
Yes!! Without question.
CRUSADER says
Obama spilled the beans about what unit did the hit, and Obama takes credit for hitting Osama,
but Obama won’t do anything to help this guy in country who tried helping us get to Osama???
Guy Jones says
Predictably, the vile egomaniac, Obama, couldn’t be bothered to go to bat on the Doctor’s behalf, after he took his “I scalped bin Laden” victory bows.
Another shameful mark of moral bankruptcy in the overflowing ledger of Obama’s incompetence and callousness.
Relic says
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcuHO0I3fzs
Chris Malan says
It is a disgrace that the USA leaves this man there. Seven years! They could have done something by now. And Elvis Costello bleats like a sheep.
Frank Anderson says
I can’t resist drawing a historical comparison: Who needs a trial? Consider the trials afforded to thousands after the unfortunate attempt to kill Hitler. Stauffenberg, a genuine hero worthy of near eternal praise, had 2 blocks of explosive and was able to fuse only 1. If he had just put the other block in with it there would have been enough to kill Hitler as planned. Instead Hitler lived and killed before or after hideous mock trials where the “judge” screamed in rage to humiliate those before him, and then ordered them killed immediately. I doubt there are any fair trials in Pakistan. I’ll bet a token that there are no acquittals. Any attempt at defense is a mockery and could easily put the defense lawyer in prison or up against the wall with the accused. We (BHO totally without authorization from Congress or the courts)traded BILLIONS to the Iranians to release some, but not all, of our people. What are we willing to do to get this man out and away from them for his service to our country? The doctor not only deserves honor and respect; He deserves freedom.
LeftisruiningCanada says
Is this not Alfred Molina with makeup on?
Nancy Albert says
IMHO, Afridi cannot be released because it was not OBL who was killed. How in the annals of history could the greatest terrorist on Earth be killed and his photograph never shown? His body dumped in the ocean ‘out of respect’ without DNA tests… instead of mummified for the 9/11 museum? Why were there no violent outbreaks in the ME? And don’t forget that most who participated in the raid died in an unlikely Chinook helicopter crash.
There’s the excuse that his face was so shot up that his picture would be unrecognizable. Wouldn’t Navy Seal assassins be instructed to save the face for ironclad proof? Has any of the “valuable information” gleaned from the residence helped our cause? Didn’t we need to publish photos of Saddam’s dead sons to convince Iraqis of their deaths?
Osama had been dead for years. Obama needed the “We Got Bin Ladin” to get reelected, just like he needed to nab the videographer who “caused” Benghazi.
So I’m nuts, but there are some REALLY strange attributes to the story and it’s difficult to believe everyone just accepts it unquestionably.