ISLAMABAD: The United States government has assured that a probe would be initiated against its Defence and Air Attaché Colonel Emanuel Joseph, who is accused of killing a young man after running a red light in the federal capital, said Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal.
During the weekly briefing on Thursday, Dr Faisal said Joseph fled back to the US as he has diplomatic immunity just like other embassy officials in Pakistan.
However, he said they did not have details on the matter of *diyat *– financial compensation paid to the victim’s family.
Dr Faisal also spoke about travel restrictions on US diplomats and their families in Pakistan, saying the decision was made in response to the limitations on the movement of Pakistani diplomats in the US. link> link>
When asked why other restrictions were also imposed on US diplomats, the spokesperson said Pakistan only took back additional facilities that were given to the US officials.
According to Dr Faisal, past governments had given a number of special facilities to US diplomats in Pakistan, including permission to use tinted windows on vehicles, diplomatic licence plates on private vehicles and vice versa, and installation of communication devices.
He added only these facilities were taken back, besides the imposition of travel restrictions, but no additional limitations have been levied.