Lahore HC dismisses petitions on CIA contractor Raymond Davis's immunity

SLAMABAD: The Lahore high court has dismissed petitions pertaining to the diplomatic immunity of the arrested CIA contractor Raymond Davis after the foreign ministry admitted that they have no record of his diplomatic status, a media report said on Monday.

Deputy attorney general Naveed Enayet Malik submitted in the foreign ministry's reply that: "Raymond Davis's correct name is Raymond Allen Davis to whom business visa was given on the US government request."

Raymond Davis was arrested after he gunned down two Pakistani men in Lahore. Following the incident, the US embassy approached the foreign ministry for immediate release of Davis.

Deputy attorney general said that the foreign ministry was fully aware of the rule of law and their responsibility and added that whatever record was available relating to Raymond Davis would be submitted in the court.

The petitioner, Azhar Siddique, raising an objection, said: "Why was the government hesitant in giving a categorical statement relating to the immunity of Raymond Davis."

Malik said that as the trial court was already hearing this case, the decision on immunity would also be taken by the court in accordance with the law.

The chief justice, while dismissing the petitions relating to Davis's immunity, said the trial court will take a decision on this, Geo News reported.