Pakistani Lawmakers Criticize U.S. Reward for Militant Leader

[The Northerner]

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — The Pakistani government and opposition on Thursday united in criticism of a newly announced $10 million American bounty for Hafiz Saeed, a militant leader accused of orchestrating the 2008 attacks in Mumbai, India, during a heated session of Parliament in which lawmakers demanded that Washington provide proof of Mr. Saeed’s terrorist credentials.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani warned that the American reward, which was announced by a senior State Department official in India on Monday, was a “negative message” and would “further widen the trust deficit” between the two countries.

Parliament is in the throes of a contentious debate about ties with the United States, which have been virtually frozen since American warplanes killed 24 Pakistani soldiers during a disputed border clash in November. Now, it seems, Mr. Saeed’s fate may present a new hurdle.

Opposition lawmakers said the American offer of $10 million for information leading to the capture or arrest of Mr. Saeed, who is accused of leading the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba and who lives openly in the eastern city of Lahore, was “mind-boggling” and “ridiculous.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/06/world/asia/pakistani-officials-criticize-united-states-bounty-for-militant-leader-hafiz-saeed.html

[limpyhobbler]

1. It's odd how this article presents the view of Pakistani right-wingers, but no American response.

They should at least give the US side to the story as well. It's sad to see so many right wingers in the Pakistan government are willing to protect this guy, but hey at least they're honest. Those are the people who give the violent miltants the breathing room they need to operate. Secretary Clinton is exactly correct to go after this scumbag by offering a reward and to let it be known that if you are going to protect terrorists, then you need to be afraid of the US.

[Alamuti Lotus]

2. refreshing viewpoint

You know, I really hated it when these same exact points were made by Bush/Cheney and their sycophants (they considered their disgusting national chauvinism to be patriotic), but for some reason it's so much more refreshing to hear from supporters of the new and current regime. It's really great to see that "business as usual" doesn't apply anymore and the difference that four years can make.