Pak Govt has decided to grant Davis diplomatic immunity to end row with US: Official
February 17th, 2011 - 5:11 pm ICT by ANIIslamabad, Feb 17(ANI): The Pakistan Government has decided to grant diplomatic immunity to double murder-accused US official Raymond Davis, a high-ranking government official has said.
The detained American’s fate, however, will eventually be decided by a Pakistani court in Lahore, where he faces murder charges over the January 27 incident.
“I have every hope the court will base its proceedings on our opinion. If he is immune from prosecution because we have recognized him as a diplomat, then a prosecution in Pakistan will be difficult,” CBS News quoted the senior official, as saying on the condition of anonymity.
A second Pakistani official also confirmed that the government had decided to grant immunity to Davis.
“I realize this is a very, very tough decision which is bound to provoke strong reaction on the streets of Pakistan,” said the official, adding, “Opponents of the (Pakistani) government will denounce the grant of immunity as a sell-out of national honour.”
“Our leaders have decided Pakistan’s relations with the US cannot be allowed to derail because of this episode,” the official explained.
On Tuesday, US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John F. Kerry flew into Pakistan for meetings with the country’s leaders as the Obama administration raised pressure on Islamabad to release Davis on the grounds of diplomatic immunity.
While the US- and Kerry himself- insisted that his Pakistan trip was “to reaffirm US support for the strategic relationship between the two countries,” but Pakistani officials said that his visit was primarily to do with Davis.
“We recognize Senator Kerry as a friend and supporter of Pakistan. He is indeed here to help find a resolution to the Raymond Davis issue,” said the high-ranking Pakistani official.
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has candidly admitted that his government is “just caught between the devil and the deep sea” on the Davis issue. “We are facing difficult decisions. There is a political price. If we take it then the people do not support and if we don’t do it the world does not support,” he said. (ANI)
- 'Pressurised' Pak Foreign Office relents, declares murder accused American "a diplomat" - Feb 16, 2011
- Now, Obama personally demands release of murder accused American from Pak - Feb 16, 2011
- Gilani rules out any "back-door solution" between Pak, US on Davis' immunity row - Mar 08, 2011
- Double murder-accused American has "no complete immunity": Qureshi - Feb 16, 2011
- US disappointed over Pak Govt's failure to certify Davis' diplomatic immunity status - Feb 18, 2011
- Davis case should not mar Pakistan-US ties: Kerry - Feb 16, 2011
- Gilani hints at pardon by victims' family to murder-accused US official as solution - Feb 17, 2011
- Davis case adjourned till March 14 after Pak FM seeks more time to reply on his status - Feb 17, 2011
- Zardari 'pressurised' Punjab Govt. to declare Davis enjoyed diplomatic immunity: CM - Feb 18, 2011
- Pak court indicts Raymond Davis for double murder - Mar 16, 2011
- Pakistan government in a fix over Davis issue - Feb 22, 2011
- Pak Foreign Ministry denies 'reported statement' on Davis' diplomatic immunity - Feb 17, 2011
- Pak assures Kerry of no espionage charges against Davis, no custody of other US accused - Feb 19, 2011
- Pak Govt to tell court Davis doesn't enjoy blanket immunity: Sources - Mar 13, 2011
- US admits Davis case has made bilateral relationship with Pakistan "more difficult" - Feb 18, 2011
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