ISLAMABAD – Fuelling speculation that the government might certify that Raymond Davis was entitled to diplomatic immunity, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar on Friday told the National Assembly that 2,570 foreigners including diplomats and non-diplomats working at embassies and consulates of 78 countries in Pakistan were entitled to diplomatic immunity, adding that among them was one non-diplomat at Lahore consulate of the United States.
In a written reply to a question by MNA Sajid Ahmed, Hina said a total of 1,919 were foreign diplomats while 651 non-diplomats had immunity. According to the list presented in the National Assembly during Question Hour, the US had 851 officials in Pakistan, the largest in number, who had diplomatic immunity.
Per the list, one non-diplomatic member of the US embassy, posted in Lahore was among those who enjoyed immunity. The House was also told that 31 US nationals, working in the US Consulate in Lahore, 52 in Karachi and 58 in Peshawar Consulate, had diplomatic immunity.
She said 851 US nationals having immunity included 554 diplomats and 297 non-diplomat staff members. She said around 18,000 Pakistanis were living in Libya and all necessary arrangements would be made for their evacuation if needed.
