Daughter of nation

Sir: Recently, I saw a hoarding of Dr Afia with the caption: “Bring the daughter of the nation back.” I have much sympathy for the family of Dr Afia and recognise their right to pursue her case, but I object to calling the woman the daughter of the nation because she allegedly had links with terrorists and tried to kill the US investigation officer during her confinement in Afghanistan.

She has been convicted of involvement in terrorism and her appeals have been rejected by the US courts and now she has been serving her jail term, but her relatives and religious as well as political parties are demanding her release. They are pressurising the government to bargain her release. This is absurd. When someone points out that she has been convicted by the US court on the basis of concrete evidence, the often repeated retort comes that the US is against Islam and fabricates evidence to falsely implicate and persecute vulnerable Pakistanis. If it is so then why are hundreds and thousands of Pakistani students and professionals offered scholarships and job opportunities by the US? And they all have not been accused of terrorism. That is not the case and we should not play victim in every case. Moreover, calling an individual who is accused of terrorism the daughter of the nation is strongly objectionable. Average Pakistan people are peace loving and do not harbour extremist religious views. Average daughters of the nation are peace loving and tolerant of other faiths.
GULSHER PANHWER
Johi