Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif revealed on Wednesday that the US embassy official who killed a motorcyclist during a road accident in Islamabad is still in the country.
Asif made the remarks in the National Assembly 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, adding that the US embassy has assured the government of cooperation in the matter.
He added that police are also investigating the case.
Interior ministry requested to put US defence attaché’s name on ECL
The official vehicle of US Defence and Air Attaché Joseph Emanuel Hall rammed into a motorcycle in the federal capital 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 initial probe, the official was let go but his vehicle remains impounded.
Police sources explained 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.
