Islamabad, Pakistan: The US Ambassador in Islamabad was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today and a strong protest was lodged by the Foreign Secretary on the tragic death of the motorcyclist and serious injury to the co-rider in the traffic accident yesterday that involved a US diplomat.
According to a press statement issued here on Sunday by Pakistan Foreign Office, the US Ambassador expressed his deep sympathy and sadness over the loss of life and assured that the Embassy would fully cooperate in the investigation. The Foreign Secretary conveyed that justice will take its course in accordance with the law of the land and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961.
It is pertinent to mention that Sunday is an officially weekly holiday in Pakistan but Foreign Office of Pakistan in Islamabad called US Ambassador under special and urgent circumstances because this accident is second case where US Embassy vehicles crushed motorcyclists in Islamabad. In first case, US Embassy vehicle killed an employee of CDA last year.
It may be mentioned that a US embassy car bearing non-diplomatic number plate hit a motorcycle here in Islamabad on Saturday, killing motorcycle rider on the spot and injuring one other. According to available information US defence air attaché Colonel Joseph Emanuel was driving white colour SUV Toyota Land Cruiser without diplomatic number plate and his car hit the motorcyclists near Daman-e-Koh area. Police said that traffic police immediately compounded driver and vehicle but driver (Colonel Joseph Emanuel) was released at police station owing to his diplomatic immunity. US Embassy confirmed the accident through a press statement.
