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Zardari says court to decide US citizen's fate who killed 2 Pakis

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Feb 1, IRNA -- President Asif Ali Zardari Tuesday asked the United States to wait the court's order about the fate of an American national, who has killed two Pakistanis in the eastern city of Lahore, the presidential spokesman said.

Raymond Davis, an employee of the American Consulate in Lahore, shot dead two Pakistanis on Jan. 27, claiming that he had acted in self-defence.

Davis, driving a white-color car, was later arrested as his car was stuck up in the traffic after his brazen attack. Another Pakistani was crushed to death by the U.S. consulate car, when it arrived at the scene for Davis help.

The U.S. is asking Pakistan to release its national as he 'enjoys diplomatic immunity'. But Pakistani leaders and investigators say that the case is in the court and it will decide it. They also say that the accused has not proved his diplomatic immunity.

A visiting US congressional delegation Monday took up the issue of Mr Davis in meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari, Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.

“The Congressmen also raised the matter of Mr. Raymond Davis, involved in the killing of Pakistani nationals in Lahore, with the President,” the spokesman said in a statement.

“The President said that he appreciated their concern but the matter was already before the courts. It would be prudent to wait for the legal course to be completed,” he said.

It is the first time that President Zardari has come up with his stand on the issue, which has become a source of tension between the two countries. Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has also said that the court will decide the case and denied reports to give immunity to the accused.

The U.S. embassy has issued two statements over the past three days to demand Mr Davis' release on the basis of diplomatic immunity.

The police registered a double-murder case against the U.S. national on the requests by families of the slain men. The police said the accused had also been charged for carrying illegal arms as he failed to show license for his pistol.

Davis had introduced himself to the police as Technical Advisor in the American Consulate in Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, who is now being questioned for his action and activity in the city's busiest area.

Shooting to death of two Pakistanis by the U.S. national has not only caused a diplomatic row between the two allies but the tragic incident has sparked a series of protest by political, religious groups and the media.

The issue has also been echoed in the parliament and lawmakers called for severe punishment to the American man. Several demonstrations have been organized across Pakistan and the demonstrators called for hanging of what they called the American killer.