Appropriate action will be taken against American diplomat: Asif
islamabad — The United States defence attache, involved in a traffic accident which resulted in the death of a motorcyclist in the federal capital, is present in the country and appropriate action will be taken against him in accordance with the law, Foreign Minister Khawaja Mohammed Asif said on Wednesday.
Speaking on the floor of the national assembly, Asif said that the US embassy has assured full cooperation in the matter.
He made the remarks in response to a lawmaker’s question on the status of the case following rumours that the diplomat may have left the country.
Asif assured the house that the law will take its course in the case. He added that police are also investigating the case. The official vehicle of US Defence and Air Attache Joseph Emanuel Hall rammed into a motorcycle in Islamabad on Saturday, killing a young man and injuring another.
Following the accident, police escorted the diplomat’s car to the Kohsar police station and registered a case. However, after an initail probe, the official was let go but his vehicle remains impounded.
Police sources said later that the official cannot be arrested owing to the Vienna Convention which shields diplomats from local laws. Officials later expressed apprehension that the diplomat may be whisked out of the country, and according to some reports, wrote to the Interior Ministry in this regard to place the individual on the Exit Control List.
Following outrage over the incident, Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua had recorded a strong protest with the US envoy, who was summoned to the ministry.
US Ambassador David Hale expressed grief over the incident and assured authorities of complete cooperation. — APP