Pak, US differ on applicability of international laws in Davis case

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has made it clear that the case of Raymond Davis, an American national who murdered two Pakistani citizens in Lahore, will be decided by the judiciary and applicability of international and national laws will be taken into account.

Delivering a policy statement on the Davis’ issue in the National Assembly, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said his government would never compromise on the country’s sovereignty.

“We are a responsible government and conscious of the sentiments of our people,” he said, adding whenever difficult circumstances have tested our resolve, the government had respected the sentiments and the will of the people, the Daily Times reports.

Gilani acknowledged the fact that there was a difference of opinion between Pakistan and the United States in the case of Davis on the issue of interpretation and applicability of international and national laws, which he said was “because of ambiguity and inconsistency that is reflected in the available record”.

“I once again condemn the incident,” Gilani said while conveying sentiments of sorrow to the bereaved families on behalf of the government and parliament.

The Obama administration had been mounting pressure on Pakistan for immediate release of Davis under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The Prime Minister said, “We are mindful of our international obligations under the convention and other international legal instruments to which we are signatory.”

Referring to a Lahore High Court order that called for placing Davis’ name on the Exit Control List (ECL), Gilani reaffirmed that the courts would decide the issue of diplomatic immunity.

Meanwhile, a senior US official made it clear that Davis is a member of the administrative and technical staff of the Embassy in Islamabad and is entitled to full immunity from criminal prosecution and should not be arrested or detained.” (ANI)