The United States of America and Pakistan hold diametrically opposite viewpoints in the Raymond Davis affair that are two sides of the same coin. The American, who killed two motorcyclists in the Mozang area of Lahore by firing seven bullets with pinpoint accuracy through his cars windshield, is said to be an employee of Hyperion Protective Consultants LLC, which has been found to be a paper company registered at a bogus address in Florida. Also, he was carrying a regular US passport with a business visa. It is doubtful if the name in his passport is his real name. Moreover, a US Consulate rescue vehicle overran and killed another motorcyclist, but managed to flee from the scene. The Consulate refused to surrender the wanted hit-and-run driver, who may well have been smuggled out of the country in a VIP plane or other alternative means. But Davis, to his bad luck, was intercepted and arrested by the police near old Anarkali. The Americans, who claim to champion the cause of human rights and uphold the rule of law, immediately came into action, demanding the release of the killer held under judicial custody for investigation. No reference is ever made to the brutal murder he committed in broad daylight witnessed by several passersby or any deference shown to the legal process of the country where the crime is committed. Meanwhile, the recording of an interview by the police found its way to television news channels that beamed it all across. Davis stated his employers to be the US Consulate in Lahore, as a member of the administrative and technical staff that does not normally fall in the category entitled to diplomatic immunity, which the American Embassy and Consulate demanded. As public opinion mounted against the release of Davis, and in favour of conducting his trial in Pakistan, arm twisting Pakistan for his immediate and unconditional release commenced at the highest levels ascending from the Secretary of State right up to the US President himself. A high-powered delegation headed by Senator John Kerry was dispatched to secure the release. Veiled threats were dropped with hints to curtail the aid programme, recalling of the Ambassador to the White House and cancellation of President Asif Zardaris visit to Washington. Practical steps were taken by advising the Pakistani Foreign Minister of the non-availability of the Secretary of State for a previously scheduled meeting in Munich and the postponement of a trilateral meeting in Kabul. When coercion and persuasion failed, the US Embassy initiated planting false documentation in an endeavour to justify immunity from prosecution. A diplomatic passport was produced that carried a diplomatic visa issued in Islamabad and not in the US before his departure (although the possession of a diplomatic passport alone does not necessarily qualify for immunity). The initial statements of Davis, the American Consulate in Lahore, and the Embassy in Islamabad were so conflicting that the claim for diplomatic immunity was clearly jeopardised. The Foreign Office could not be convinced of the diplomatic credentials offered, but it remained silent on the subject until Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi spilled the beans. Dejected on being relieved of his portfolio, in all probability under pressure of the Americans, Mr Qureshi went public in his assertion that the kind of blanket immunity the US is seeking is not endorsed by the record at the Foreign Office and that this was the unanimous opinion of all the experts. He also confirmed that Secretary Clinton pressured him to publicly declare immunity that he refused. The Americans consider a carte blanche from the Pakistani authorities necessary for their operations to be effective in their war on terror. Former President Pervez Musharraf had meekly surrendered logistic and operational facilities that have not been revoked or renegotiated by the Government of President Zardari. Earlier, the Pakistan government had succumbed to US pressure and had granted special powers to its envoy in Washington for the issuance of visas to the Americans on fast track without clearance from the security outfits. Some of these visas were issued from London and the Middle Eastern Embassies. Consequently, an estimated 3,000 such persons may now be masquerading in Pakistan in a vast parallel network of spies and their support personnel. They have established contacts with various militant organisations, besides recruiting many locals. The strategically important intelligence collected is said to determine the course of destabilising operations of miscellaneous nature within Pakistan and fixing targets for pilotless drone attacks in the tribal areas. Their involvement in terrorist attacks within Pakistan cannot be ruled out. What is good for the Americans is quite the opposite for the Pakistanis. Our intelligence agencies now have substantial concrete evidence of these activities that have been known for some time. Admiral Mike Mullen met with COAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in Oman last week where the Davis affair and the strained relations between CIA and ISI were discussed, according to press reports. However, the Americans find themselves on the back foot for the first time, as they pre-empted in haste with their usual arrogance setting aside the merits of the immunity status for Davis. The Pakistani authorities have exhibited extraordinary courage in holding their ground under sustained pressures and possibility of deterioration in bilateral relations. The risk of further exposures has panicked the State Department and the White House, and the poor handling has reflected adversely on President Barack Obama and his administration. The Western press has also eventually caught on. Several articles have appeared revealing sinister motives behind the multiple faces of the identity, background, particulars of assignment and activities of Davis, and many others like him deputed in Pakistan. The Americans, who have been breezily getting away with similar incidents, are not accustomed to such defiance from the Pakistanis whom they claim as counterparts and allies, but in actual fact treat as a satellite nation. The collective decision making in a democratic set-up has glaringly manifested itself in contrast to one mans whimsical discretion in an army dictatorship. The armed forces are presently being run professionally supported by the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence units that are guarding the best national interests and sovereignty of the country. No government or agency can ignore or override the public opinion any more. Likewise, nothing can escape from the attention of the fiercely independent and resourceful media that gathers and presents facts before the people for scrutiny and open debates. The pro-active judiciary too has assumed the responsibility to ensure that justice prevails. The Raymond Davis affair has illustrated the extent to which democracy has slowly, but firmly taken roots, and the institutions have strengthened in our country during a short period of three years. No matter how immature or self-serving the politicians may be, the democratic system confines them to checks and balances. The media, judiciary and the people will no longer allow anyone to trade off the sovereignty and interests of the nation. The sooner our politicians and establishment come to terms with this reality, the better it will be for them, the system and the nation. The writer is an engineer and an entrepreneur.