US diplomat will not be allowed to leave country, Pakistan tells US
'Decision to allow Col Joseph leave will be made in adherence to Pakistani, international laws'
PHOTO: EXPRESS
KARACHI:
Islamabad conveyed to Washington on Saturday that United States defence attaché to Pakistan Col Joseph Hall would not be allowed to leave the country.
Col Joseph will be kept in the country until his matter is subjudice.
Moreover, the decision on his departure to the US will be made according to international and Pakistani laws, sources privy to the matter told Roznama Express.
'The government can't overlook the court orders into the matter."
Earlier today, an aircraft that had arrived at the PAF’s Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi to reportedly fly out Colonel Hall returned after the diplomat failed to obtain clearance from pertinent authorities.
Plane returns from Rawalpindi leaving US diplomat in lurch
Sources told The Express Tribune that officials at the airbase asked the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to determine if the diplomat was allowed to leave the country.
Hall was jumping traffic lights when he hit a motorcyclist on April 7 in Islamabad. Ateeq Baig, 22, died on the spot. Another was injured in the Margalla Road traffic accident.
Meanwhile, sources in the federal capital said that acting State Department South and Central Asia assistant secretary Alice Wells reached out to the Pakistani authorities telling them that Col Joseph is subject to diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention.
Hence, Islamabad should refrain from taking any action against him and allow him to go back to the US, she further said.
Immunity to US diplomat to ‘erode people’s trust’
In response, Islamabad conveyed to Wells that Col Jospeh hasn't been arrested yet because Pakistan respects Vienna convention.
However, his case, is still being heard by the relevant court and any decision would be made in accordance with the law of the land.
The Pakistani authorities also conveyed their reservations on US restrictions imposed on the movement of Pakistan's diplomatic staff in the US, demanding that these restrictions be removed immediately.
Both sides agreed to solve these issues via dialogue and mutual consent.
US 'to impose new restrictions' on Pakistani diplomats
Sources said that the federal court would also provide information to the court on international law applicable to the case.
Notwithstanding, reports are rife that efforts to solve the issue secretly are underway.
Furthermore, there are also reports that there can be a compromise between the US defence attache and the victim's family through the payment of 'blood money'.
Islamabad conveyed to Washington on Saturday that United States defence attaché to Pakistan Col Joseph Hall would not be allowed to leave the country.
Col Joseph will be kept in the country until his matter is subjudice.
Moreover, the decision on his departure to the US will be made according to international and Pakistani laws, sources privy to the matter told Roznama Express.
'The government can't overlook the court orders into the matter."
Earlier today, an aircraft that had arrived at the PAF’s Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi to reportedly fly out Colonel Hall returned after the diplomat failed to obtain clearance from pertinent authorities.
Plane returns from Rawalpindi leaving US diplomat in lurch
Sources told The Express Tribune that officials at the airbase asked the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to determine if the diplomat was allowed to leave the country.
Hall was jumping traffic lights when he hit a motorcyclist on April 7 in Islamabad. Ateeq Baig, 22, died on the spot. Another was injured in the Margalla Road traffic accident.
Meanwhile, sources in the federal capital said that acting State Department South and Central Asia assistant secretary Alice Wells reached out to the Pakistani authorities telling them that Col Joseph is subject to diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention.
Hence, Islamabad should refrain from taking any action against him and allow him to go back to the US, she further said.
Immunity to US diplomat to ‘erode people’s trust’
In response, Islamabad conveyed to Wells that Col Jospeh hasn't been arrested yet because Pakistan respects Vienna convention.
However, his case, is still being heard by the relevant court and any decision would be made in accordance with the law of the land.
The Pakistani authorities also conveyed their reservations on US restrictions imposed on the movement of Pakistan's diplomatic staff in the US, demanding that these restrictions be removed immediately.
Both sides agreed to solve these issues via dialogue and mutual consent.
US 'to impose new restrictions' on Pakistani diplomats
Sources said that the federal court would also provide information to the court on international law applicable to the case.
Notwithstanding, reports are rife that efforts to solve the issue secretly are underway.
Furthermore, there are also reports that there can be a compromise between the US defence attache and the victim's family through the payment of 'blood money'.