FBI official did not have immunity: Pakistan

The FBI official arrested at the Karachi airport on Sunday does not enjoy diplomatic immunity, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

At the weekly briefing on Thursday, spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said the matter is under investigation and the Karachi police officials have already given some preliminary details. The person who was remanded in judicial custody was released on bail on Thursday.

Further investigations are going on, Ms. Aslam said. He was not a diplomat and therefore, had no immunity. “He is here on a short term visit visa and his visa is valid. Since the investigations are still continuing, I would not venture into speculation,” she said.

“The U.S. authorities are in contact with us both in Washington and in Islamabad. Consular access was requested and it was granted. That’s where the matter stands at the moment. He was not here under any agreement. He came for temporary duty at the Embassy,” she pointed out.

On the question of whether diplomats are allowed to carry weapons, she said she would have to check with the Protocol Division. “But I don’t think that diplomats are supposed to carry weapons,” she added.

The FBI agent Joel Cox Eugene was arrested by airport security officials for carrying 9 mm calibre bullets, a magazine and a knife.

He was to board a flight from Karachi to Islamabad.