IHC observes diplomatic immunity does not allow killing someone

Islamabad: Judge of Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Amir Farooq, while reprimanding Deputy Secretary of Interior Ministry on the matter of killing of Ateeq Baig, being hit by car of an American citizen, has remarked if he is a diplomat he will be the diplomat of his own country and if diplomats have rights then Pakistanis have their own rights.

The court observed that diplomatic immunity does not permit killing someone in the host country.

The judge gave the remarks while hearing a petition seeking the placement of a US diplomat who fatally ran over a young man in Islamabad earlier this month on the Exit Control List (ECL).

He further remarked Interior Ministry should stop playing committee committee.

A single-member bench of IHC led by Justice Amir Farooq took up the case of death of a Pakistani citizen in a traffic incident for hearing here on Wednesday.

At the inception of hearing of the case, Deputy Secretary Interior appeared on behalf of Interior Ministry and informed the court that according to police report Col Joseph was arrested on imaginary basis.

The Judge inquired that there is no clause of imaginary arrest in the constitution. If he was arrested bail process should have taken place.

Sectary of Interior Ministry told the court regarding putting the name of Col Joseph in ECL that his name has been forwarded to committee for placing in ECL.

The judge said think as a Pakistani if he is a diplomat he will be the diplomat of his own country.

The court adjourned the hearing till 24th April.

It has to be mentioned here that Col Joseph who was riding a car of American Embassy in the area Kohsar of Islamabad Police station hit a motor bike while breaking the signal due to which a young man Ateeq Baig died on the spot. (INP/Online)