Foreigners will be tried in local courts: Malik

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that foreigners, who took the law into their own hands, will be tried in local courts.

“The state’s laws prohibit foreigners from carrying weapons publicly in respect for international human rights,” he added in reference to the killing of two boys in Lahore by US citizen Raymond Davis.

“Everybody including foreigners is duty-bound to follow the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 and Article 4 and 5 of the Constitution, which bar national and international citizens from violating the law of where they live,” Malik said during an exclusive interview with The Express Tribune.

“Local courts will decide about the fate of foreigners involved in killing innocent Pakistanis,” he replied.

The minister, who was flying to Karachi, also elaborated the concept of ‘diplomatic immunity’ saying the Ministry of Interior considers it (immunity) a law under which diplomats are given safe passage and considered not susceptible to be prosecuted under the host country’s laws.

However, he did not make any comment on possible extradition of Raymond Davis and said the court will decide on the sensitive matter of diplomatic immunity.

The minister said the government of Punjab is handling the situation carefully and we hope that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif will be successful in dealing with the situation.

The minister was satisfied with his performance in controlling target killings in Karachi and said the city will be peaceful.

Malik also praised his Indian counterpart P Chidambaram’s statement that New Delhi will share information with Islamabad regarding the Samjhauta Express blast.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2011.