Sovereignty remains uncompromised.

Byline: Aamir Aqil - Lahore

THIS refers to the letter 'US pressure' (Feb 13) which is justified in assuming that our successive governments had been succumbing to the diplomatic pressure exerted by the United States from time to time.

However, the argument is misplaced while citing the example of the Daniel Pearl case in which the federal government decided to file a review petition along with the Sindh government. It is unjust to say that the government did so under external pressure and that this decision was based on the telephonic conversation between our foreign minister and the US secretary of state.

To file a review petition is a legal matter and within the legal framework of the country. The cold-blooded murder of the American journalist by some misguided and bigoted persons or group was an incident that made headlines in the world media, which was quick to label Pakistan as one of the most dangerous countries.

The acquittal of Omar Sheikh in the Pearl murder case was shocking for not only the outside world, but for the people of Pakistan too, especially for the surviving family members of the many victims of terrorism. To opt for a review petition was a natural and a most sensible decision by the government. The US secretary of...