ISLAMABAD – The Trump administration has decided to impose new restrictionson Pakistani diplomats stationed in the US, limiting their travel movement,local media reported.
The action came after the authorities in Pakistan initiated a process toput the name of US defence and air attaché Col Joseph Emanuel Hall, whokilled a youth by hitting a motorbike, on Exit Control List (ECL).
The US administration has communicated the decision to authoritiesconcerned in Pakistan, Geo News reported citing a senior official, addingthat the recent the warning had nothing to do with the road accident by thediplomat.
The American has reportedly prepared a new code of conduct under which thePakistani staff would have to make movement within 25-mile radius. Thediplomats will need prior permission from US authorities if they want to gobeyond the set limit.
The new restriction will be imposed in May, creating difficulties forPakistani staff in doing their jobs, while one month notice in this regardhas been sent to all the four consulates apart from the embassy in the US.
Under the new code of conduct, the Pakistani officials would also need tokeep their accommodation within the 20-mile radius of the embassy andconsulates.
On Saturday, a car carrying the American diplomat hit a motorcycle inIslamabad, killing one man, Ateeq on the spot and injuring another.
Colonel Emmanuel was driving the car when the accident took place inIslamabad on April 7. The police registered a case against the Americandiplomat at the Kohsar Police Station on behalf of victim’s father,Mohammed Idrees.
On Sunday, the Foreign Office on Sunday summoned American Ambassador toPakistan David Hale to lodge a formal protest against the incident.According to a statement, the Foreign Ministry said that “justice will takeits course” in accordance with local and international laws.
It said Hale expressed his sympathy and sadness over the loss of life andassured cooperation in the investigation.
On Monday, the Islamabad police sent a written request to Ministry ofInterior to place the name of a US diplomat on the no-fly list.