Washington: The White House has ordered the acquittal of the accused in the kidnapping and murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl on the orders of the Pakistan Supreme Court. “Dissatisfied,” he said.
The United States has said that Pakistan should quickly review its other legal options, including allowing the United States to prosecute Al Qaeda terrorist Ahmed Umar Saeed Shaikh and other suspects in the case so that The family of the American journalist could get justice.
Pearl, 38, head of The Wall Street Journal’s South Asia bureau, was abducted in Karachi in 2002 while discussing links between Pakistan’s ISI and Al Qaeda. We’re gathering information for the news. He was then beheaded and killed.
Pakistan’s Supreme Court has rejected an appeal against the acquittal of British-born Omar Sheikh and ordered his release. The American journalist’s family condemned the decision, saying that justice had been made a complete joke.
White House Press Secretary Jane Sackie outlined the new Biden Administration’s commitment to ensuring justice for Pearl’s family. “The United States is outraged by the decision of the Pakistani Supreme Court to confirm the acquittal of those responsible for the abduction and brutal murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl,” he told a news conference on Thursday.
Pearl’s assassination in 2002 shook the conscience of the world. ” Responding to a question on the incident in Pakistan, he said, “It is an insult to the victims of terrorism everywhere, including Pakistan, to acquit Sheikh and other suspects and order their acquittal.” We know that Pakistan has taken steps in the past to try to hold Pearl’s killers accountable. We also know that Omar Sheikh is currently in the custody of national security authorities in Pakistan. ”
“But we urge the Pakistani government to quickly review its legal options, including allowing the United States to prosecute the brutal murder of a US citizen and a journalist,” Saki said. US Secretary of State Tony Blinken has called on Pakistan to consider all legal options to bring Pearl’s killers to justice. A Pakistani court on Thursday rejected appeals against the acquittal of Sheikh in the Pearl abduction and murder case.
The Supreme Court also ordered the release of Sheikh in this sensational case. A Pakistani court has ordered the release of three others, Fahad Naseem, Sheikh Adil and Salman Shakib, who are serving life sentences for their involvement in Pearl’s abduction and murder.
Acting U.S. Attorney General Monty Wilkinson expressed concern over the acquittal of Omar Sheikh, saying “the release of those responsible for the killings is an insult to Daniel Pearl’s family, other victims of terrorism around the world and to justice. MP Brad Sherman also expressed frustration over the Pakistani court’s decision.
