LAHORE/ISLAMABAD – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday directed Deputy Attorney General Naveed Inayet Malik to submit a reply on behalf of the Foreign Ministry regarding the diplomatic immunity to Raymond Davis, while the US expressed its disappointment that Pakistan did not certify immunity for the American national in court.
On Thursday, Malik appeared on behalf of the federal government and informed the court of Chief Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry that Davis’ name had been placed on the Exit Control List (ECL) per the court’s earlier orders and all concerned, including FIA, director general passport, directors general ISI, MI, IB and others had been notified.
Punjab Advocate General Khawaja Harris told the court that the federal government and the Foreign Ministry had not yet informed the Punjab government about the diplomatic status of Davis and the court was also waiting for the federal government’s reply into the matter. Upon this, Malik requested the court to grant three weeks for filing the Foreign Ministry’s reply, with the court adjourning the proceedings until March 14.
Meanwhile, Additional District and Sessions Judge Yousaf Aoujla on Thursday directed the Kot Lakhpat Jail authorities to produced Davis in court on February 25 for regular hearing of the double murder case registered against him. Also, Judicial Magistrate Aneeq Anwar extended the judicial remand of Davis for another two weeks.
Reacting to Thursday’s hearing in the LHC, US Ambassador Cameron Munter said, “The US is disappointed that the Government of Pakistan did not certify that Raymond Davis has diplomatic immunity.” According to a US embassy statement, he said the US had made its position on this case clear.
In Washington, the White House and Department of State again repeated the US’ demand for the immediate release of its national, saying, “He (Davis) has diplomatic immunity and Pakistan needs to meet its international obligations.”
