Cheque distribution at CM House: Harmful drinking water served,10 women fall unconscious

At least 10 women, belonging to the families of the victims who lost their lives in Karachi’s Abbas Town bombing, fell unconscious when they were served harmful drinking water during an event to distribute cheques at Sindh Chief Minister House here on Tuesday. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah was scheduled to distribute compensatory cheques among the families that lost their homes and loved ones in the bombing that killed 51 people and injured over 140 others. 

The women who were seated in the front rows asked the event organisers for water. Around 10 women fell unconscious after drinking the water served to them. Later, when to news come to the surface, the CM House’s spokesman said that the water served by the caterers in event was harmful for health. He, however, said that only two people including a woman and a man fell unconscious after drinking the water. Meanwhile, nine people were shifted to the Civil Hospital Karachi in the early hours of Tuesday when they fell unconscious after a toxic gas filled a house located on Mauripir road.(FP)

US Calls for Pakistan to Adhere to Legal Obligations: Illegally Detained Diplomat Has Full Diplomatic Immunity

Islamabad - The United States Government once again calls upon the Government of Pakistan to abide by its obligations under international and Pakistani law and immediately release the American diplomat illegally detained in Lahore. The U.S. Embassy reiterated to the Government of Pakistan today that his continued detention is a gross violation of international law.

The U.S. Government has repeatedly communicated to the Government of Pakistan that the illegally detained diplomat enjoys diplomatic immunities under the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations (1961).

The U.S. Government notified the Government of Pakistan on January 20, 2010 that the American diplomat was assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad as a member of the administrative and technical staff. Under the Vienna Convention and Pakistani domestic law, he is entitled to full criminal immunity and cannot be lawfully arrested or detained.

This morning, the American diplomat was remanded in court without notice to the U.S. government, without his lawyer present, and without translation assistance. He was denied due process and a fair hearing.

We deeply regret that the January 27 events in Lahore resulted in the loss of life following an attack on the diplomat by armed assailants. However, the Government of Pakistan must comply with its obligations under international and Pakistani law and ensure that he has immunity from criminal jurisdiction.

We look forward to working with the Government of Pakistan toward the expeditious resolution of this incident. Responsibility for the safety and well-being of the illegally detained diplomat rests with the Government of Pakistan and Punjab provincial authorities.(PR)