PPP should be lauded for refusing to hand over Davis to US despite pressure: Awan

Islamabad, Feb 19(ANI): The leadership of the Pakistan People's Party must be applauded for not bowing to the United States' demand to hand over double murder-accused official Raymond Davis to the country, Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said.

"I have repeatedly stated on numerous occasions that the government of Pakistan had categorically told the US that Raymond Davis' case is sub judice and only the courts can decide his fate," the Dawn quoted Awan, as saying on a TV channel.

"At least, the leadership of the Pakistan People's Party should be commended that despite the pressure it refused to hand him over," she added.

Awan insisted that the PPP-led government "will not come under any pressure from the government of the United States."

She said that both President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had made it clear to visiting US officials that the government was not an aggrieved party in the case, and that the law enforcement agencies of the country were handling the case and the federal government was coordinating with them.

"Our duty is to present and provide all the facts, and the final decision will be taken by the court," Awan added. (ANI)