US Senator Kerry visits Pakistan over US gunman
US senator John Kerry arrivedin Pakistan on Tuesday to try to resolve a diplomatic row over a US official who is accused of a double murder. Kerry, who is chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, helped clear a 7.5-billion-dollar US aid package for Pakistan.
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He will meet government officials to reassure them of long-term US commitment to Pakistan, according to the US embassy in Islamabad.
US embassy worker Raymond Davis has confessed to shooting dead two men in Lahore on 27 January. He claimed he killed them in self-defence. A third Pakistani man was run over and killed by a US consulate vehicle, which was trying to help Davis.
The killings have sparked anti-American protests across the country. The US has threatened to cut aid to Pakistan unless Davis is released.
A Pakistani court has banned the government from releasing Davis into US custody and remanded him in custody until 25 February.
On Thursday, the Lahore high court is expected to reconvene after giving the foreign ministry 15 days to answer on whether he has diplomatic immunity.
US State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said Monday that the US would file a petition for Davis’s release in a court on Thursday and provide evidence regarding Davis’ diplomatic immunity.
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