Raymond Davis, a staff member of the US Consulate in Lahore shot two Pakistani men dead in a crowded part of Lahore, according to him in self-defence. After that US Consulate vehicle that rushed in to rescue Raymond ran over a third person, who also died. A murder case was then registered against Raymond Davis, who was handed into police custody.
Now the questions rose that how the case should be dealt; as offence is committed by a US citizen against a Pakistani citizen in the state of Pakistan. According to the law, it comes under the jurisdiction of Pakistan. Both the governments had their own stance.
Hopefully case will be dealt under the rules of Vienna Convention on Diplomatic and Consular Immunity. Davis had a diplomatic visa but it expired in December 2009. He was not a diplomat after that. A Consular can be charged on judicial claims of serious crimes. According to the Vienna Convention, if a person commits an act in private capacity, he would not come under diplomatic immunity. What was Davis doing in that area in a private vehicle? And what was the threat to him from the Pakistani citizens? Pakistan should stand fast on its point, defend its citizens and punish the offender under the law. At this time, immunity to Davis will lead to immunity to thousands of other Davis.
SOBEA TABBASUM
Chakwal
