Pakistan places US military attache Hall on 'black list'

Islamabad [Pakistan], Apr 24, ANI: Pakistan places American Diplomat Colonel Joseph Emanuel hall, who ran down three persons in near Islamabad earlier this month on 'black list' and thus he cannot leave the country.

The Pakistani Government has informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that the diplomat does not stand a trial in Pakistan owning to the diplomatic immunity.

Pakistan's Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Raja Khalid has informed the IHC that placing the diplomat's name on the Exit Control List (ECL) is a very lengthy process. As of now, he can neither be arrested nor can he be tried, reported the Dawn.

Khalid even underscored that the American military attache has diplomatic immunity as per the Vienna Convention, adding, he can be tried if only his immunity is withdrawn, according to the report.

Earlier this month Colonel Joseph Emanuel Hall, Defence and Air attache at the US Embassy in Pakistan ran down three persons in Daman-e-Koh, north of Islamabad, ratcheting up the ongoing visa/diplomatic rift between the two countries.

He was reportedly sloshed while driving the white Land Cruiser that hit three motorcyclists at a traffic signal.

One of the riders was dead, while the other two were critically wounded, who were taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

The diplomatic tiff between the United States (US) and Pakistan is brewing up like coffee, gradual-yet-strong and perhaps tad bitter.(ANI)