On Monday, 5 May, a US national Joel Cox was arrested at Karachi airport because live 9mm bullets that were found in his hand baggage. He was produced before the magistrate and the police got physical remand till May 10. The latest news is that the police have found the tools of trade of spies in his baggage, like spy camera, miniature voice recorders, etc. Belatedly CNN and US news media claim that he is FBI agent sent to train/help Pakistan Police in anti-corruption investigation. It is further reported that the US Embassy is trying to have him released. This episode raises the following questions: What was he doing in Karachi? How long had he been in Karachi? Where did he stay in Karachi? If he was helping the police why are his hosts silent? What type of visa is he on in Pakistan and how long has he been in the country? What is the stated profession on his passport?
It is heartening to know that the police have sent the 9mm rounds for testing. It will be interesting to know the results.
The story given out by Washington Post states:
“U.S. officials in Washington confirmed that the agent, who is assigned to the FBI Miami Field Office, was in Pakistan on temporary duty. They requested that the agent’s name be withheld, citing the sensitivity of the situation.
A U.S. official with knowledge of the case said the agent was not armed and had apparently forgotten about the loaded magazine in his bag. The agent was in Pakistan as part of a multi-agency effort to help the Pakistanis investigate corruption, the official said.”
The Washington Post also reports that Joel Cox, according to his father, was posted to Pakistan for three months and that Meghan Gregonis, spokeswoman for the US Embassy in Islamabad, said that the US officials were closely coordinating with the Pakistani authorities on the matter.
Which organisation was he assisting and why are they silent? To me it appears that Joel Cox (if that is his real name) was engaged in clandestine activities for the US, probably without the knowledge of the government of Pakistan.
One must congratulate ASF for catching him and handing him over to the police. The action of the police in Malir was also correct in producing him before the magistrate and obtaining physical remand. He should be investigated and tried according to the law. It is about time that the law took its course and that the government does not yielded to the pressure from the US Embassy.
INAM KHAWAJA
Lahore