Avast there Jim Lad - Jumpin' in with both feet again.

"The usual suspects defending human rights abuses - including illegal imprisonment and torture." - Jim

Now where is anyone defending human rights abuses?? Please specify, give us all a direct quote that would substantiate that observation of yours.

"One other thing about BM's capture - he was arrested by the Pakistani Authorities - who on balance have probably a greater working knowledge of Al-Qaeda and the Taleban than any other organisation in the world, they undoubtedly have the best contacts." - Me

Is that supposed to indicate that I defend "human rights abuses" Jimbo??

"Pakistan's human rights record is generally regarded as poor by domestic and international observers, although there have been some improvements since 2000." - Either Jim or an article he has cut'n'pasted.

Yes Pakistan's human rights record is poor, along with the human rights record of many other countries and regimes dotted round the planet. The remaining content of your post backs that up admirably, but Pakistan is after all an Islamic Republic and much of what you catalogue is considered by some Muslim clerics to be perfectly acceptable behaviour if not even commendable.

None of which alters or contradicts one jot of what I said about "Pakistani Authorities - who on balance have probably a greater working knowledge of Al-Qaeda and the Taleban than any other organisation in the world, they undoubtedly have the best contacts."