U.S. Defence Attache Kills Motorcyclist In Islamabad, U.S.-Pakistan Relations Hit New Low

The U.S.-Pakistan relationship has lately been hit by a string of incidents that has raised tensions between the former allies.

U.S.-Pakistan Relation on the Downswing (Photo: Techjuice.pk)

A man was killed after a white Land Cruiser belonging to Joseph Emanuel Hall, a defence and air attaché at the US embassy in Islamabad hit his motorcycle in Islamabad on Saturday, April 7, 2018. CCTV footage showed the vehicle crashing into a motorcycle around 3pm Saturday when it violated a traffic signal on Margalla Road reports Geo TV. The motorcyclist, died on the spot, while the pillion rider was critically injured in the accident and, consequently, moved to a nearby hospital.

The FIR notes the accident took place as the car did not follow traffic rules and ran a red light which led to the collision with the motorcycle. The news report also notes that the diplomat was brought to the police station but could not be arrested due to his diplomatic status which grants him immunity.

With the Trump administration halting aid to Pakistan, the Islamabad government is playing hardball and has prevented Hall from leaving the country. They want him prosecuted in Pakistan. This incident is reminiscent of the Raymond David episode in 2011 in which an undercover CIA contractor was charged with killing two Pakistanis in a highway shootout. The news of this incident is followed by reports that the two countries are considering imposing restrictions on the movements of diplomats in their respective countries.

The Pakistani newspaper, Dawn reports that “The Trump administration has notified Pakistani authorities that diplomats at their embassy in Washington and at consulates in other cities will not be able to travel beyond 40km from their posts without permission. The notice, shared with the Pakistan Embassy in Washington and sent also to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, indicates that the restrictions could be imposed from May 1, if certain issues remained unresolved.”

According to this notification, diplomats will need to apply for permission at least five days ahead of an intended travel outside the imposed 25 miles radius. In their discussions with their Pakistani counterparts, U.S. officials also pointed out that Islamabad has already imposed similar restrictions on the US diplomats in Pakistan, who are not allowed to visit the tribal belt or Karachi.

But, the sides were quick to de-link this restriction on diplomats with the incident involving the U.S. defence attache. The Voice of America reported that State Department official told VOA in a statement, "there are no restrictions on the travel of Pakistani diplomats in the United States." But the official did not say whether there are plans to impose such restrictions in May.

However, what is certain is the U.S.-Pakistan relationship has lately been hit by a string of incidents that has raised tensions. The accident in Islamabad follows closely on the heels of Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi being frisked at an airport in the U.S. when he was travelling on a personal visit, which was not taken kindly by Pakistan.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 13, 2018 09:45 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).

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