"Our law and Shariah provide the right of pardon under `Diyyat' to the heirs", the Punjab Law Minister told a private television channel on Wednesday night.

He said 19 heirs of the slain youth including 11 heirs from the family of Faizan and 9 from the family of Faheem appeared before the court in Lahore on Wednesday and pardoned Raymond Davis.

The Minister said, the court asked the 19 heirs separately and one by one, as if they had pardoned the killer under any pressure, adding, after the heirs pardoned the killer, the court acquitted Raymond Davis.

Rana Sanaullah said the jail authorities released Raymond Davis after receiving the court judgement.

To a question, the Punjab Law Minister said the heirs received Rs200 million as `Diyyat' for forgiving Raymond Davis.

Rana Sanaullah said the whole nation was unanimous in the view that they would accept the court verdict in this case, adding, the court has given its verdict as per the desire of heirs.

To a question, the Punjab Law Minister agreed that the decision was contrary to public sentiments, adding, but the courts have to follow law for their decisions.