*ISLAMABAD: *In the wake of simmering diplomatic tensions following a fataltraffic accident in Islamabad by the United States military attaché, theTrump administration has decided to impose new restrictions on Pakistanidiplomats in the US.
The US government has reportedly prepared a new code of conduct, accordingto which the movement of Pakistani diplomatic staff consisting of 200people would be limited to a 25-mile (40-kilometre) radius.
A source privy to the development told *Roznama Express* that the newrestrictions will come into force in May, causing difficulties for thePakistani staff in performing their duties.
He said that one month notice has been served to the Pakistani diplomatsserving in four consulates apart from the embassy to ensure implementationon new instructions.
According to the new code of conduct, Pakistani diplomatic staff would needpermission from the US authorities before embarking on a journey beyond 40kilometres from the embassy and consulates. They would also need to keeptheir accommodation within the 20-mile radius of the embassy and consulates.
The development comes to fore only days after US defence and air attachéCol Joseph Emanuel Hall ’s reckless driving killed a motorcyclist andinjured another in the federal capital.
Col Hall was booked in a criminal case after he hit the two motorcyclistsat Daman-e-Koh intersection on Saturday.
Although the diplomat was not detained because of his diplomatic immunity,the police are now proceeding to get his local driving licence revoked.
The capital police have also sent a letter to the Ministry of Interior,asking to include Hall’s name in the Exit Control List (ECL). Anotherletter was sent to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to place the USdiplomat’s name on its watch-list.