Raymond Davis’ diplomatic status ‘dubious’: govt sources

US national Raymond Davis. — File photo ISLAMABAD: The United States government, in a diplomatic dispatch, to the government of Pakistan admitted that not all administrative and technical staffers of embassies and consulates in Pakistan were given diplomatic status, DawnNews reported. On the other hand, sources in the Pakistan government said that Raymond Davis’ diplomatic status was dubious. They further said that the Foreign Office had not issued the ‘diplomatic card’ to Davis, a US consular employee who was arrested a week ago for shooting dead two motorcyclists in Lahore in what he said was self-defence. The dispatch further stated that although not all embassy and consulate staffers in Pakistan have the diplomatic status, it cannot be concluded that this annuls the diplomatic immunities under the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations. The US government further demanded Pakistan to clarify the situation and to not leave the resolution of the issue on the courts. The US government emphasised that if Raymond Davis’ diplomatic status cannot be established then the issue should be resolved bilaterally. Earlier on Thursday, a court extended Davis’ detention for eight more days pending investigation. Moreover, another court had blocked any move to extradite him.— DawnNews