ISLAMABAD – The government on Wednesday dropped a tacit hint that Raymond Davis, accused of killing two Pakistani youths in Lahore, would be given diplomatic immunity when Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the killer was issued a diplomatic visa after requisite security clearance and Pakistan could not violate “certain protocols”.
“Raymond Davis holds a diplomatic passport … he travelled to Pakistan on a diplomatic visa given after clearance by the security agencies of the country … Pakistan is a signatory to certain international protocols (on diplomatic immunity) and we cannot violate them,” the interior minister said while replying to various points of order raised by senators. Malik said he had the case file with him.
“Some people wanted to see the file, but I kept it in my office and will share the details with the courts,” the minister said.However, Malik said Davis’ name had been put on the Exit Control List (ECL) on court orders and he could not leave Pakistan. “He (Davis) has been arrested and will be treated in accordance with the law,” Malik said, adding that the matter was with the court now.
He informed the Upper House that central and provincial governments would not hinder court proceedings regarding Davis. The minister said the information would be shared with the House within a couple of days as soon as the investigation report from Punjab was received.
