Diplomatic immunity doesn’t allow anyone to kill someone: IHC

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Justice Aamer Farooq remarked that the diplomatic immunity does not allow anyone to kill someone.

This he remarked on Wednesday while hearing a petition seeking the placement of a US diplomat on the Exit Control List (ECL).

Earlier on April 7, vehicle of US Defense and Air Attache, Colonel Joseph Emanuel Hall ran a red light and hit a motorcycle in a result a young man identified as Ateeq Baig on the spot and injuring his cousin.

The diplomat was let go by police after registration of a case after the Foreign Office (FO) said he enjoyed diplomatic immunity.

In today’s hearing of case filed by the victim’s family. The honorable judge lashed out the Islamabad police for acting softly to the diplomat.

Khalid Awan, Station House Officer (SHO) of Kohsar Police Station submitted the US diplomat’s statement in court and Court observed that the statement was not recorded in English and it can be an excuse for the diplomat and he can say that is does not know about speak.

SHO Awan informed the court that he was called by the Foreign Office (FO) to let the diplomat go and adding that the FO has been sent details of the case to assist police according to the Vienna Convention.

The judge observed that diplomatic immunity should be sought but going through the wheels of justice is also necessary.

Regarding the placement of the diplomat on ECL, the court ruled that the committee formed over the issue should decide the matter in five days.

The hearing was then adjourned until Tuesday.