Investigation is under process: parliamentarians should avoid debate over Davis case, says Kaira
The government on Tuesday urged parliamentarians not to mistrust the government's intent in the ongoing investigation in the Raymond Davis case, charged with killing two in Lahore, and to avoid being judgmental prior to the completion of the investigation.
Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira referred to media reports wherein President Asif Ali Zardari turned down the visiting US congressmen's demand to hand over Davis and said 'what kind of assurance do you want from the government'. Kaira said investigation of the case is under process; therefore, members should avoid debate over the issue that could influence the investigation. Even though Davis has a diplomatic passport, he will be treated in accordance with the law, he said.
The Information Minister also referred to statements of the Prime Minister and Interior Minister on the Davis matter that the case would be dealt with in accordance with the law. He said we are part of the Punjab government and own responsibility to handle the issue.
Earlier, Khawaja Saad Rafiq of PML-N through a point of order had demanded a categorical statement from the government on the issue. Referring to some media reports, he said that the centre should not give an impression to foreigners that Punjab government was the stumbling block.
Five days have lapsed and the US has yet to substantiate Davis' diplomatic status he added while demanding that the Foreign Office (FO) boldly informs US authorities that the matter would be decided by our courts as Dr Aafia Siddiqui's case had been decided by US courts. In addition, he said, the FO should write a letter to US Embassy and demand custody of those responsible for killing of the third person.
Dr Attia Inyat Ullah of PML-Q asked the government not to surrender saying after attacking us through drones the Americans have resorted to kill us in our own cities. "Pakistanis are not born to die for nothing," she added. Raymond Davis was arrested by Lahore police on January 27 after he alleged shot and killed two men on a motorcycle. The third killing of a motorcyclist took place when he was run over by S Consulate car that was rushing to the scene on Davis' call for assistance.
The US embassy in Pakistan has demanded the immediate release of Davis saying he has a diplomatic passport and immunity under Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961. Afterwards, the embassy said Davis was a member of technical and administrative staff.
Meanwhile, Foreign Office reportedly responded to the US embassy saying that Raymond Davis did not have a diplomatic visa, therefore had no immunity. And disturbingly some sections of the US media have identified Raymond Davis as a staff member of a private security agency. Earlier this morning, Lahore High Court had ordered to place the name of Raymond Davis on Exit Control List (ECL).
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